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A link between epilepsy and schizophrenia has been proven for the first time
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Scientists from Taiwan claim to have found a genetic link between epilepsy and schizophrenia.
In a paper published in the journal Epilepsy, the researchers described genetic, neurobiological, and environmental causal factors for epilepsy and schizophrenia.
The study took place from 1999 to 2008, and involved about 16,000 people with epilepsy and schizophrenia. This group of people was compared with a control group of the same age and gender who did not suffer from epilepsy or schizophrenia.
Neurologist Dr Mani Bagari said the study was the first to show a link between the development of epilepsy in patients with schizophrenia.
The study results showed that epilepsy was found in 6.99 cases per 1,000 people per year in the group of people with schizophrenia, compared with 1.19 per 1,000 people in the control group.
Accordingly, schizophrenia was found in 6.99 cases per 1000 persons per year in the group of people with epilepsy, compared with 0.46 per 1000 persons in the control group.
The scientists also found that the risk of developing schizophrenia was higher in men who suffered from epilepsy than in women.
Dr. I-Ching Chou, associate professor at Taichung Medical University, said the study shows a reliable two-way link between epilepsy and schizophrenia. This link may be the result of common pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic predisposition (the presence of LGI1 or CNTNAP2 genes responsible for the development of seizures and psychosis) and exogenous factors (traumatic brain injury, cerebral hemorrhage).