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The causes of epilepsy are divided into three main groups.

1. Idiopathic (primary) epilepsy
In this group, no obvious cause for the epilepsy can be found but there is a possibility that for some types there may be a genetic link. About 60 per cent of affected people have idiopathic epilepsy.

2. Cryptogenic epilepsy
In this group the cause is suspected but cannot actually be confirmed by specific tests.

3. Symptomatic (secondary) epilepsy
In this group there is an identifiable cause. Examples of possible causes include head injury, meningitis, encephalitis, a brain tumour, or birth injury due to lack of oxygen during or immediately after birth. Symptomatic epilepsy can happen at the time of the damage to the brain or at a later stage.

Can epilepsy be inherited?
Most forms of epilepsy appear not to be inherited, although for some of the less common types, such as juvenille myoclonic epilepsy, there may be a small increased risk that children of the affected person will develop epilepsy.