The cause of epilepsy in a majority of people is unknown. Numerous things — such as brain injuries, tumors, as well as strokes — can cause epilepsy and/or seizures. So if someone is experiencing a seizure, they may not have epilepsy.[1][2] Mechanistically, seizures are usually caused by
excessively synchronized neuronal discharges occurring in diffuse or focused areas of the brain.[3] Seizures may occur without any identifiable cause (known as unprovoked seizures) or may occur after a stimulus like flashing lights (known as reflex seizures).