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:
- 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..."
Epilepsy and TBI
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