kirstyn+(genetics+of+epilepsy)

=** Genetics of Epilepsy **=
 * What is epilepsy?**
 * A neurological condition that causes a person to have recurrent seizures, because of abnormal brain activity. Epilepsy can be caused from brain damage, brain tumor, or sometime the cause is unkown; which is called idiopathic epilepsy. Epileptic seizures effect three percent of the population and one percent is effected by epilepsy.


 * What genetic trait maybe causing epilepsy?**
 * Scientist have found that epilepsy may be linked to a mutation or deletion of 15q13.3 or commonly known as chromosome 15. Epilepsy isn't the only disease caused by a deletion in chromosome 15. Studies show that the same deletion or mutation, may also cause autism, schizophrenia and mental retardation. Studies, also show that 0.3 percent of people with mental retardation have seizures.
 * What percent are affected by this gene defect?**
 * Study show that one percent of people with a common form of epilepsy have the mutation or deletion that occurs in chromosome 15.