Prevalence of epilepsy in Europe

Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of seizure recurrences. The aim of the contribution is to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in the region of Europe. The included studies estimate period prevalence i.e., both existing and new cases of epilepsy in a population over the total population over a defined period of time. Only one study (from Norway) evaluates point prevalence i.e., the number of existing cases of epilepsy in a population, over the total population at one specific point in time. The contribution reveals overall and gender specific prevalence.