Human epilepsies: interaction of genetic and acquired factors

Epilepsies, once regarded as due to demoniacal possession, can have both genetic and acquired causes, with interaction of these factors in many cases. To date, nearly all the genes discovered to be involved in human epilepsies encode subunits of ion channels, both voltage-gated and ligand-gated. Established acquired causes include serious brain trauma, stroke, tumours and infective lesions. Thus, in terms of exploring the neurobiology of 'nature and nurture' in disease, the epilepsies are an excellent paradigm. Here, we review the evidence and discuss the possibility that ion channels are a common biological substrate for both genetic and acquired epilepsies. This review is part of the INMED/TINS special issue Nature and nurture in brain development and neurological disorders, based on presentations at the annual INMEDITINS symposium (http://inmednet.com/).