Overview

Epilepsy that causes focal seizures is sometimes called focal epilepsy, because the seizures start at a specific focus or location within the brain. In people with this type of disorder, the electrical charges that cause seizures begin in a specific area in the brain, although more of the brain may become affected during the seizure.

Epilepsy that causes focal seizures is the most common type of epilepsy in adults.

What causes it?

The seizures of focal epilepsy do not always have a known cause. But they often result from severe head injury, stroke, brain tumour, brain infections, scar tissue, and other diseases that affect the brain.

These same conditions may also cause focal seizures in children. But the cause of focal seizures in children is more often unknown. These seizures are often a form of benign focal childhood epilepsy, which has no known cause.

How is it treated?

Drug therapy is the usual treatment for focal seizures for both adults and children. Surgery that removes the affected area of the brain is also an option for some people who have focal seizures.