UC Irvine

The majority of epilepsies that arise from numerous etiologies commence early in life. Therefore, understanding the special characteristics of epileptogenic processes that take place during infancy and childhood is critical. This understanding requires knowledge of the basis of the unique vulnerability of the developing brain to the inciting or causal events, as well as the age-specific mechanisms that lead to epilepsy early in life. This article will introduce these concepts and review some of the factors that predispose to seizures early in life, as well as those that might contribute to the evolution of these seizures into epilepsy. Mechanisms of epileptogenesis unique to the developing brain will be highlighted, together with the significant gaps in our knowledge.