Skip to main content

What causes seizures, and how can we treat them? - Christopher E. Gaw

574,123 Views

3,822 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Nearly 3,000 years ago, a Babylonian tablet described a curious illness called “miqtu” that caused symptoms ranging from facial twitching to full body convulsions. Today we know miqtu as seizures, and modern medicine has developed numerous treatments for those experiencing them. So what causes seizures, and is there any way to stop them from happening? Christopher E. Gaw investigates.

Seizures are related to excess electrical activity in the brain from misfiring neurons. In general terms, describe how medications and neurosurgeries can treat seizures.

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Christopher E. Gaw
  • Director Bálint Gelley, CUB Animation Ltd.
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Daniel Gray
  • Animator Rebeka Király, Iván Tamás
  • Compositor Iván Tamás
  • Art Director Anna Tőkés
  • Music József Iszlai
  • Sound Designer József Iszlai
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce, Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from Getting Under Our Skin