About 3.4 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a neurological condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Epilepsy, a seizure disorder, comprises many different types of seizures with varying causes. In approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of epilepsy cases, the underlying cause is genetic.

The chances of whether someone will develop or inherit genetic epilepsy can depend on a variety of factors. If you’re living with epilepsy, you might be curious about how likely it is that someone else in your family may have the condition. Take this five-question quiz to better understand how epilepsy is impacted by heredity.

Share Your Thoughts

On MyEpilepsyTeam, the social network and online support group for people with epilepsy and their loved ones, members have discussed how genetics might play a role in developing the condition.

Do you have other family members with epilepsy? Join the conversation today to share your experiences and connect with others on MyEpilepsyTeam.