Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyEpilepsyTeam
Powered By

Quiz: Can Epilepsy Be Inherited?

Posted on June 14, 2021
View reactions
Article written by
Torrey Kim

About 3.4 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a neurological condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Epilepsy, a seizure disorder, comprises many different types of seizures with varying causes. In approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of epilepsy cases, the underlying cause is genetic.

The chances of whether someone will develop or inherit genetic epilepsy can depend on a variety of factors. If you’re living with epilepsy, you might be curious about how likely it is that someone else in your family may have the condition. Take this five-question quiz to better understand how epilepsy is impacted by heredity.

Share Your Thoughts

On MyEpilepsyTeam, the social network and online support group for people with epilepsy and their loved ones, members have discussed how genetics might play a role in developing the condition.

Do you have other family members with epilepsy? Join the conversation today to share your experiences and connect with others on MyEpilepsyTeam.

Posted on June 14, 2021
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer with MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

Genetics contribute greatly to some types of epilepsy but not all types.Most children born to par...

Is Epilepsy Genetic? The Chances of Inheriting Epilepsy

Genetics contribute greatly to some types of epilepsy but not all types.Most children born to par...
A child living with severe epilepsy may experience one or more types of seizures, some of which a...

What Do Severe Childhood Seizures Look Like?

A child living with severe epilepsy may experience one or more types of seizures, some of which a...
The road to a diagnosis isn’t always smooth for people with symptoms of severe epilepsy. A thorou...

5 Types of Tests for Severe Epilepsy

The road to a diagnosis isn’t always smooth for people with symptoms of severe epilepsy. A thorou...
Epilepsy has been correlated with many neurological conditions, including autism.Caregivers of ch...

Is There a Link Between Autism and Seizures? The Epilepsy Connection

Epilepsy has been correlated with many neurological conditions, including autism.Caregivers of ch...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it rela...

ADHD and Epilepsy: What’s the Connection?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it rela...
If you are living with epilepsy, you know that your symptoms include so much more than epileptic...

4 Mood Disorders Associated With Epilepsy

If you are living with epilepsy, you know that your symptoms include so much more than epileptic...

Recent articles

One in every 20,000 to 40,000 children has Dravet syndrome.Dravet syndrome seizures are hard to c...

What Is Dravet Syndrome? Understanding Symptoms, Treatments, and More

One in every 20,000 to 40,000 children has Dravet syndrome.Dravet syndrome seizures are hard to c...
The ketogenic diet involves consuming high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods like avocados, healthy oil...

The Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy: Does It Help Prevent Seizures?

The ketogenic diet involves consuming high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods like avocados, healthy oil...
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe type of epilepsy that causes seizures that typically be...

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe type of epilepsy that causes seizures that typically be...
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors and lesions...

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Life Expectancy, Skin Pictures, and More

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors and lesions...
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a derivative of hemp that can be used to treat severe forms of epilepsy in c...

Which Types of Epilepsy Can Be Treated With CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a derivative of hemp that can be used to treat severe forms of epilepsy in c...
If you witness someone having a full-body seizure, try to ensure they are lying down on their si...

What To Do During a Seizure: Your Epilepsy Questions Answered

If you witness someone having a full-body seizure, try to ensure they are lying down on their si...
MyEpilepsyTeam My epilepsy Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close