What do you think causes epilepsy?

[notime]

I realize certain forms of epilepsy has been linked to DNA. I recently got a 23andme test done medical as well. I started to read up on the accuracy of DNA testing. It doesn't seem it's that accurate, it's not really good for criminal cases to some extent or medical diseases. It's still useful, but it's not as great as they say it seems. I am not a medical doctor or researcher, but from what I've been reading. Seems we need more research into DNA.

I used to drink a lot of sodas (diet) I started around 2010. Got up to 4 a day for years until 2015. I had my first seizure around 2012. Do you guys think aspartame can cause it? Again, I am just curious. I wish I never did drink that stuff. I only drink water now.

 

[Hobbes]

our child has a genetic epilepsy. one type of seizure she has is one that’s genetic (atypical absence), those weren’t initially evident so it took years before they realized that. genetic testing wasn’t done as it isn’t something that would change the treatment approach.

check out epilepsygenetics.net

 

[resaebiunne]

There are many causes of epilepsy. It is not necessarily genetic. I drink soda (not diet) and it does not trigger my seizures.

 

[Nakamova]

I think in many cases, epilepsy is a combination of susceptibility (perhaps genetic, perhaps from head trauma, infection, etc.), plus secondary trigger (physical, physiological, emotional, environmental).

In my case, the most likely primary cause was a bad head injury when I was five. I may have had a lowered seizure threshold from that point on. But I didn't have my first seizure until 30 years later. At that point there was a "perfect storm" of triggers -- fatigue, emotional stress, low blood sugar -- All I'd consumed over the course of several days was diet soda. I do think that the aspartame in the sodas was a factor, but only in combination with my pre-existing susceptibility and the other triggers.

Similar to MSG, aspartame can be triggering or bothersome for some but not for others. There are lots of reasons not to drink diet sodas though, so it can't hurt to try to quit or reduce your consumption.

 

[Porkette]

Hi notime,

Everyone is different but I do know for a fact that aspartame does trigger seizures for me. My neuro did a video e.e.g. on me and purposely gave me diet soda to drink and each time I drank it, it triggered seizures for me. I was told that the aspartame causes more electrical activity in a persons brain and sometimes it triggers seizures for some people and other people it may not bother.

Other things that can cause epilepsy according to my neurosurgeon is the following:

trauma, lack of oxygen at birth, drug and alcohol abuse, a bad blow to the head, a very bad scare along with genetics and difficulty at birth.

Here's wishing you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[txtiger]

I have read that aspartame can be a trigger, though it's not for me.

My seizures didn't appear until college, but based on what my epileptologist found in MRI, it appears mine was congenital. I had/have (had surgery, but I don't think all was able to be removed) gray matter heterotopia, which basically means that not all of the white matter migrated to the proper place during prenatal development. Whether that had a genetic basis, I don't know. An uncle on each side of my family has/had seizures, but I know one passed out in high school, so his was likely caused by head trauma. Not sure about the other side of the family, because as far as I know, his was controlled by medication, and I didn't start having seizures until after he died, so I never got to ask him about his. My mother smoked while she was pregnant with me (this was the early 70s, so the medical community didn't know, or didn't publicize, the risks of smoking), so it's possible that could have been a factor.


As I said, I didn't start having seizures (complex partials) until college. I'm almost positive it was a consistent lack of sleep that began to trigger mine, and I am still more susceptible when I don't get good quality sleep. But I am thankful, as once I learned about the heterotopia, I read that it can be associated with some pretty significant developmental delays in addition to the epilepsy.

 

[valeriedl]

They have no idea what caused my epilepsy and still don't.

They never mentioned anything about my diet causing it because my diet was horrible at the time. I ate all sorts of foods. I drank all sorts of drinks - regular and diet sodas, coffee with and without caffeine and probably any other kind you can think of. I know I'd use aspartame a good bit too.

The only thing I really try to stay away from now is caffeine and alcohol because they are seizure triggers for me. Anything that says 'diet' on it I will drink or eat and I've never noticed it causing a seizure.

 

[Fedup]

notime

I think there should be more research into Epilepsy, this might then lead to a positive conclusion. As it stands they say a certain form may be linked to DNA, but that is only "may be linked" there is no group of doctors or doctor who will say your epilepsy is a result of "such a thing" they just do not know for certain.

 

[Hobbes]

Fedup,

I have to disagree. I think there is not a wishy washy maybe about some epilepsies being genetic. The clearly complex multiple genetic factors in some epilepsies is where they haven’t made much progress but some areas are better understood. The blog I list above is the ILAE’s genetics blog, there’s a lot of good info there about what they do and don’t know, which is changing dramatically. I hope genetic studies help improve our understanding of what processes impact other epilepsies such as why some people develop epilepsy after an injury and others might not or might develop it much later OR what aging factors might be interrupted so fewer people develop epilepsy as a senior. My mom had minor seizure episodes after what they think were mini strokes but as she was on hospice, they didn’t put her through a diagnostic hassle she was not up for, they just treated her with low dose of a benzodiazepine. However, I agree about more research being needed.

 

[Fedup]

Hobbes

Thank you Hobbs, I stand corrected, my apologies. I was reading the site you talked of, I missed the reference first time, do be careful it does say "However, the more we handle the data, the more we realize that we have to be careful and rigorous when assessing some of the basic assumptions"

and also

"The more specific terms are more informative not because they are necessarily more detailed, but because they delineate a smaller patient subgroup."

also they do state “Making Sense of Genetic Data in Epilepsy – Consensus and Controversy in 2017”

But I have to say generally I do agree with you, I just like them to be able to say for definite "this is the reason" but then again I can be fussy.

 

[Andrew]

Genes associated with Epilepsy

Here are some of the known genes associated with Epilepsy:

http://www.genecards.org/Search/Keyword?queryString=epilepsy#results

I have had a genetic test and PNPO Deficiency has been confirmed.

My medication has always consisted of B vitamins - Mainly vitamin B6.

Here is My Story: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/40-years-vitamin-b6-11674/

**DO NOT ALTER ANY MEDICATION WITHOUT YOUR DOCTOR'S CONSENT**

I also have Asperger's (an Autistic Spectrum Condition) and Dyslexia which is the reason I posted here:

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com...eneral-epilepsy-experiences-23950/index6.html

 

[Sabbo]

Brain injury can cause epilepsy. I know that my simple partials originate where there is scar tissue in my brain (due to being a forceps delivery). Since childhood I'd complain of "weird feelings", which weren't diagnosed until one was seen on an EEG after I had 3 or 4 tonic clonics in April 1987--none since. I have no idea about the complex partials, though. Those suddenly started about 18 years ago.

 

[Pinkhorse]

The first question the neurologist asked me was, "Have you ever had a head injury." 5-6.