The etiologic classification of epilepsy

2011/03/30 by Simon Shorvon · 2 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Epilepsy research and treatment #Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies #Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03041.x

openalex publication_date 2011/03/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

The etiology of epilepsy is a major determinant of clinical course and prognosis, yet the current classifications of epilepsy do not list etiology in any detail. In this article, a classification (database) of the etiologies of epilepsy is proposed. In this scheme, the etiology of epilepsy is divided into four categories: idiopathic, symptomatic, provoked, and cryptogenic. These are defined and subcategories are proposed. A commentary addressing the following points is included: problems associated with assigning causation, symptomatic versus idiopathic epilepsy, focal versus generalized epilepsy, acquired epilepsy, acute symptomatic epilepsy, risk factor analysis, provoked epilepsy genetic and developmental epilepsy, and epilepsy as a disease not a symptom.

Citations

• Revised terminology and concepts for organization of seizures and epilepsies: Report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology, 2005–2009
• Proposal for Revised Classification of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes

Cited by

• The new ILAE report on terminology and concepts for organization of epileptic seizures: A clinician’s critical view and contribution
• Epilepsy [wikipedia]