Both epilepsies primarily affect children. Seizures in this type of epilepsy have psychological effects more than movement effects. The precise location of the gene is not yet known. It also includes hearing loss and poor mental development. The gene variant in this case is found not on a chromosome in the nucleus of the cell, but in the chromosome in the mitochondria .
Mitochondria are the energy-processing machinery in cells.
Trauma to the head, high fever, and drug overdose can all disrupt the brain's electrical system and cause seizures. Infections with bacteria, viruses, or parasites are a common cause of seizures in certain populations. Tumors cause seizures by altering the structure, and, therefore, the electrical activity of the brain. Any of the events above may or may not cause permanent damage to the brain. If the initial insult to the brain is not recognized, the seizures can appear to have come out of nowhere.