Genetic factors epilepsy

A broad variety of diseases may cause neuropathic pain. The majority of diseases associated with neuropathic pain involve the peripheral nervous system. These diseases include traumatic injuries hereditary, metabolic, inflammatory or paraneoplastic neuropathies and infections. However, neuropathic pain can also be caused by injuries or disorders affecting the spinal cord or the brain (central neuropathic pain) tumors stroke epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders [20]. Genetic factors appear to contribute to inter-individual differences in the susceptibility to neuropathic pain. 

Epilepsy can be caused by genetic factors, brain trauma or injury, viral infections, and likely additional factors that have not yet been discovered. Some people, who may not even be diagnosed with epilepsy, may experience seizures in response to certain patterns of lights and sounds. More severe cases sometimes require the part of the brain that is believed to be the source of the massive storm of electrical signals to be removed surgically. However, epileptic seizures are usually treated with anticonvulsant medications. 

At present, there are only hypothetical explanations for the cause of the contracture and its correlation with liver cirrhosis. A genetic factor probably plays a part, possibly also in combination with genuine epilepsy. Its more frequent incidence in alcoholic cirrhosis points to a disorder in collagen metabolism as a pathogenic factor. 

Alterations in the structure or function of an ion channel caused by mutations in a gene encoding one of the channel s subunits are termed channelopathies. Initially, these abnormalities were associated with cardiac and muscular disorders, but today, it is recognized that channelopathies are responsible for several forms of epilepsy (15,16). Presently, most of the discovered channel mutations appear to be associated with the development of idiopathic generalized epilepsy most partial seizures are believed to be acquired. Minor alterations in gene structure or expression, however, may predispose a given individual to partial seizures. It is estimated that 40% of adult and childhood epilepsy may result from genetic factors. 

In general, childhood epilepsy is associated with behavior problems and cognitive decline. Though many factors like anti-seizure drugs, genetics, and seizure duration may be contributing to these effects, lower intelligence quotients (IQ) scores. 

Although there are many instances where the factors contributing to the development of epilepsy are unknown, there are also a variety of known factors such as head injuries, cerebral tumours, brain infections and strokes which can be associated with the development of the condition. It has long been thought that heredity played a role in the development of epilepsy but only recently has a genetic link been found. However, the precise nature of this genetic aspect is still under investigation. 

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