Epilepsy is a neurological condition, a disorder not a disease. It is not contagious. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with epilepsy it is important that you read & learn about this condition. The information that you learn will help you to communicate better with your neurologist. You will feel more comfortable and will be better prepared for your office visits.

This first link will explain the brain, neurology, epilepsy and more in simple, easy to understand terms.

A website on basic Neurology & Neuroscience..... this is a great website and easy to understand.
Neuroscience For Kids

You can check bookstores and the library for books on epilepsy and seizures. There are many good websites also. I will give you links to some of the best ones that I have found.
Neuroscience Tutorial Created by the Washington University School of Medicine - designed for medical students but suitable for the general public as well
Brain Basics - Know Your Brain
University of Washington (UW) Regional Epilepsy Center
Epilepsy Ontario
INITIAL MANAGEMENT of NEW ONSET SEIZURES, TO TREAT OR NOT TO TREAT?
Therapeutic Levels

Another good way to learn and understand more about epilepsy & seizures is to talk with others. Here is a link to a good Message Board:
Epilepsy Message Board

The "tools" used in diagnosing seizures & epilepsy are EEGs, MRIs, CT Scans and now SPECT. It is common that these tests can be "normal" and the patient can have seizures. The EEG is not a perfect test. It is only a "picture" of what is happening during the time of the test. Also some seizure activity can occur too deep in the brain for scalp electrodes to record it.That is why there are different types of electrodes, longer EEG Tests, and tests such as Video Monitoring. MRIs and CT Scans will show "physical" causes for seizure activity....but since not all seizures have a physical cause these tests can be "normal". This is why it is important to have a good neurologist, one who specializes in treating patients with epilepsy and seizures. A neurologist that specializes in treating epilepsy is called an epileptologist. A good doctor will listen to the patient, know which questions to ask to receive a understanding of what is happening, show concern for the health of the patient and answer all questions. Remember this doctor is working for you and you have the right to have answers to your questions. You also have the right to access your records & take them or copies to another doctor for a second opinion.

Seizures and children websites:
Epilepsy In Young Children
Our Kids - for children with special needs

These websites are not meant to scare you but they contain important information that everyone should read.
Epilepsy Ontario - SUDEP FAQ
Status Epilepticus

Women & Epilepsy:
Seizures Net - Mark Yerby

More about Epilepsy:

More links....
fMRI Reveals Dynamics of Working Memory
Seeing, Hearing, and Smelling the World articles and illustrations present new information about our senses and how they work
The Cerebral Institute of Discovery This site explores how and why the human brain functions (or not) as it does.
Epilepsy Ontario - read the FAQs
Your TBI, ABI, AND EPILEPSY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Photosensitive Epilepsy Links - Yahoo
HealthAnswers Medical Reference Library - Liver function tests
Liver Function Test - Dr Wu - Taiwan
Lab Tests Online
RXLIST Drug Database
Ketogenic Diet
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Online Medical Dictionary
Scientific American: Feature Article: The Neurobiology of Depression: June 1998

German Epilepsy Links:
German Epilepsy Websites

"Ask A Doctor" websites:
Netwellness "Ask A Doctor" Log on ...go to "Ask A Doctor", read the Agreement, press "Click Here" and scroll to Epilepsy
SIU Center for Epilepsy-Q+Answer Board

Since Epilepsy and other neurological disorders can also involve Sleep Disorders, here are some websites on Sleep. There is more information at The National Institutes of Health website.
Brain Basics - Understanding Sleep
The Sleep Well
The American Sleep Apnea Assocation
The Dreaming Brain
National Sleep Foundation Home Page

On Dreaming:

To understand a connection between Epilepsy and Dreams...especially Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.....first you have to understannd Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. It affects Emotions & Behavior....also the part of the brain called the Limbic System. The Limbic System is made up these areas of the brain: Amygdala, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Cingulate Gyrus. The Temporal Lobes (with the Hippocampus) have a direct connection to the Limbic System.

A good short explanation of the active & inactive parts of the brain during Sleep is:
The Dreaming Brain

Another good link:
Anterior cingulate cortex participates in the conscious experience of emotion

Dreams have strong connections to emotions.

More Sleep & Dream links:
Dreams
Sleep Medicine Alert, Volume 3, Number 1
Kavan - Sleep and Memory: Evolutionary Perspectives
Sleep - Eric Chudler

Depression and Epilepsy

Everyone gets depressed, seizures can cause us to feel depressed. There is a big difference between feeling depressed & Clinical Depression. You can read about Depression at the National Institutes of Health website. Here I will give some links on the neurotransmitter Dopamine & Depression.
Brain abnormalities seen in depression
Dopamine
Scientific American: Feature Article: The Neurobiology of Depression: June 1998
Aug 96 Expert1 Seizures and Bipolar Disorder

Talking with others will help, use the internet chat rooms and the message boards. If you have a local Epilepsy Support Group ... attend the meetings, if there isn't a group....use the local papers, radio & tv stations to start one. It is part of their requirement for "Public Service" to keep their license for radio & tv stations to provide Public Service Announcements.

Migraine:

Migraine...is there a connection? There is a definate headache connection....why not a Migraine connection? Many people in the online Epilepsy Groups suffer from Migraines and believe there is a connection. If you read about Migraines you will see a lot of things in common. Also....finally some doctors are beginning to listen & believe in the connection, or are speaking out more about it.

JAMA Migraine Information Center
Migraine Information and Outline

Links For Anatomy, Neurology & Pharmacology:

NOTE: All information here is for educational purposes. Consult your doctor and/or pharmacist before making any changes in medication and treatment. NEVER quit taking any seizure medication without the consent of your doctor. Your pharmacist is a good source of information about the medicine that you are taking, including over-the counter medicines. Some OTC medicines can interfere with epilepsy medicine....check with your pharmacist & doctor before taking OTC medicine.

Websites from the Epilepsy Chat Room on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) & friends:
mIRC Homepage IRC (Internet Relay Chat) information, support & links ... #Epilepsy is on the IRC Undernet Network

Parkinson's Disease Information Websites & Links
National Parkinson Foundation
PD Web Directory - Wake Forest University - lots of links
The Parkinson's Web
American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center
PD - Research News
Parkinson's Disease Foundation