Epilepsy Can Follow Traumatic Brain Injury

Did you know that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause epilepsy? Learn how to protect your brain.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen to anyone, especially young children and older adults. TBIs can range from mild (such as concussions) to severe, life-threatening injuries. They can cause changes in:

• Thinking and memory;
• Sensations and balance;
• Language, such as talking and understanding; and
• Emotions, such as depression, anxiety, or aggression.¹

TBIs can also cause epilepsy

Epilepsy is a broad term used for a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. There are many types of epilepsy and there are also many different kinds of seizures. TBIs can cause a seizure right after the injury happens or even months or years later. Researchers agree that the more severe the TBI, the greater the chance the person may develop epilepsy.² Age and other medical conditions are also factors in whether or not a person may develop epilepsy after a TBI.

The terms post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and post-traumatic seizures (PTS) are both used to describe seizures that happen because of a TBI.³ In 2014, there were over 280,000 hospitalizations for TBI in the US.⁴ A CDC-funded study found that among people aged 15 years and older hospitalized for TBI, about 1 out of 10 developed epilepsy in the following 3 years.²

Everyone should:

Always wear a helmet when riding a bike to prevent head injuries!

• Learn the signs and symptoms of TBI and when to seek medical care.
• Take the CDC’s HEADS UP training to learn how to recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or TBI if you’re a parent, coach, child care provider, or school professional.

If you or someone you care for has a head injury, here’s what you need to know:

If you or someone you care for has had a head injury, talk to a doctor about the risk of seizures and epilepsy.

• Seek medical attention and share information about TBI signs and symptoms.
• Talk to the doctor about the risk for having seizures or developing epilepsy after a TBI.
• Learn to recognize the signs of a seizure. Sometimes it can be hard to tell. Some seizures cause a person to fall, cry out, shake or jerk, and become unaware of what’s going on around them. Other seizures can make a person appear confused, make it hard for them to answer questions, twitch, or cause the person to feel like they taste, see, or smell something unusual.
• Learn first aid so you are prepared if someone has a seizure.

To prevent TBIs that may cause epilepsy, protect your brain from injury. For example:

• Use seat belts and properly installed car safety seats every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Wear a helmet when playing certain sports and riding bikes, horses, motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles.
• Prevent falls, especially in older adults and young children.