Final answer:
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with recurrent seizures, often due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors or brain injury. Anticonvulsant medications can manage seizures, and severe cases might require brain surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are disruptions in the brain's electrical activity. These seizures can be triggered by various factors. In some individuals, epilepsy may stem from brain injury, disease, or other illnesses, which include intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Yet, the specific cause of epilepsy often remains unidentified but is believed to be influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In certain severe cases of epilepsy, ongoing seizures may be caused by increased excitability in neuronal circuits due to excessive neurotransmitter release or altered receptor function, such as changes in AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits or associated enzymatic activity. Anticonvulsant medications are commonly used to control seizures, and in extreme cases, brain surgery may be necessary to remove the area where seizures originate.