Is there any connection between multiple sclerosis and epilepsy?

Answer From B Mark Keegan, M.D.

Epileptic seizures are more common in people who have multiple sclerosis (MS) than in those who don't have MS. While it's estimated that less than 3 percent of people without MS have seizures, about 2 to 5 percent of people with MS are thought to have active seizures.

Exactly why these seizures occur more often in people with MS isn't completely understood. MS lesions in certain areas of the brain might trigger these seizures. However, lesions are very common in MS, and seizures are unusual, so there are probably other factors that play a role in seizures, too.

Seizures may be the first noticeable sign of MS before diagnosis. Seizures can also occur during times when MS symptoms flare up. In some cases, seizures might be the only sign of an MS flare. But, the majority of seizures occur unrelated to MS relapses, and the occurrence of a seizure soon before diagnosis of MS may just be a chance occurrence.

Most seizures can be controlled with anti-seizure medication.

With

B Mark Keegan, M.D.

June 01, 2018 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Acetyl-L-carnitine: Can it relieve MS fatigue?
  2. Adult bed-wetting: A concern?
  3. Auditory evoked potential test
  4. Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies
  5. Bladder control problems: Medications
  6. Bladder control problems in women: Seek treatment
  7. Explaining multiple sclerosis
  8. Cannabis for MS: Can it help treat symptoms?
  9. CBD safety
  10. Demyelinating disease: What can you do about it?
  11. Emerging treatments for multiple sclerosis
  12. Estriol as a potential treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS)
  13. Exercise and multiple sclerosis
  14. Fatigue
  15. Fingolimod during pregnancy: Is it safe?
  16. Intermittent fasting
  17. Is there a multiple sclerosis diet?
  18. Long-term safety of natalizumab for treating multiple sclerosis
  19. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  20. Managing anxiety in MS: What works?
  21. Managing depression in MS
  22. Medical marijuana
  23. Mindfulness practice: Can it reduce symptoms of MS?
  24. MRI
  25. Multiple sclerosis
  26. Infographic: Multiple Sclerosis
  27. Multiple sclerosis management
  28. Multiple sclerosis therapy
  29. Numbness
  30. Personalized therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS)
  31. Physical therapy
  32. Plasma exchange
  33. Prednisone risks, benefits
  34. Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
  35. Seeing Inside the Heart with MRI
  36. Inheritance patterns
  37. Stress management for MS
  38. Urinary incontinence
  39. Urinary incontinence surgery in women
  40. MRI
  41. Vitamin D and MS: Any connection?
  42. Vitamins for MS: Do supplements make a difference?