Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects more than 2 million Americans, with approximately 125,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While epileptic seizures often are associated with a series of involuntary jerking movements, they can also cause a person to become suddenly confused, have staring spells, or use words or phrases inappropriately. Epilepsy has no single cause, and in fact, many times there is no identifiable reason for the condition. Genetic factors can play a role, the extent of which is not fully known.
Epilepsy can also be secondary to another condition, such as cerebral palsy or a brain tumor.
Epileptic seizures are often, but not always, a symptom. Many times the seizures stop occurring when the child reaches adulthood. For reasons that are not known, the brain cells in one half of the brain become inflamed. Partial seizures occur frequently, causing rhythmic jerking of the arm and leg on opposite sides of the body.