It may seem surprising, but in rare cases, yes, a memory can cause an epileptic seizure. In this article, we discuss a case of this kind, and the successful treatment the patient underwent that has allowed her to live without further seizures.
It is important to start by understanding what epilepsy is. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by recurring seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in some area of the brain. The symptoms of seizures depend on the type of epilepsy and which area of the brain is affected. In some people with epilepsy, it is possible to identify specific triggers that can provoke a seizure.
Patients who suffer from a rare type of epilepsy known as reflex epilepsy or stimulus-triggered epilepsy, may have seizures brought on by certain triggers or stimuli. Although this type of epilepsy only accounts for about 4% to 7% of cases, it is fascinating to study, because it helps us understand how the brain works.
What we mean by "stimuli" in this context:
- External stimuli: Things we can see or hear, such as flashing lights, loud noises, or even something we read.
- Internal stimuli: Processes that occur within our body or mind, such as emotions, thoughts, or memories.
A case recently published in the journal Seizure in 2025, illustrates an interesting example of this rare type of epilepsy. The subject was a 69-year-old woman who began to have epileptic seizures every time she recalled memories of her childhood. To investigate the possible cause, the doctors used special tests to monitor activity in areas of the brain where large numbers of brain signals are found.
Different functions, such as speech, memory, abstract thinking, emotions, and others, are controlled by different parts of the brain. In this patient's case, the tests revealed a clear focus of abnormal activity in the right temporal lobe. The seizures began in two deep structures, the right hippocampus and amygdala, and then spread to the right temporal cortex. These structures are especially involved in memory and emotions, so it seemed probable that, in this case, the patient’s seizures were being triggered by her memories.
The doctors then applied another more invasive, but very precise, test, and were able to confirm that the onset of the seizures was located exactly where they suspected. With this information, the decision was made to remove part of the patient’s right temporal lobe to eliminate the focus of epileptic activity.
An analysis of the tissue removed showed microdysgenesis in the amygdala, which explains the abnormal brain activity recorded in that area. Since undergoing the surgery, the patient has remained seizure-free for several years, and her case highlights two important points:
- Although it is rare, in some people, memory and other internal mental processes can provoke epileptic seizures.
- In cases of epilepsy where seizures are not successfully controlled through medication, surgery may be an effective treatment offering the patient a better quality of life.
Findings such as these open the door to a broader understanding of epilepsy. Epilepsy does not conform to a single pattern; what triggers a seizure can be different for each person. While for some patients, seizures may be related to factors such as lack of sleep, too much stress, or flashing lights, cases like the one presented here show that, for others, a single specific memory can be enough to activate abnormal neural activity.
It is interesting to note that the brain structures involved in this case, the hippocampus and amygdala, are also key structures for consolidating memories and processing emotions. That an abnormality in these areas can lead to epilepsy shows how closely memory, emotions, and the electrical activity of the brain are intertwined.
In addition, this example highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis in epilepsy. Not all patients with drug-resistant seizures are candidates for epilepsy surgery, but in cases where a specific area of the brain can be identified as the location of the epileptic activity, the surgery can be life-changing.
To summarize, in this article we have shown that, although it might seem surprising, in certain types of epilepsy seizures may be triggered by a memory. These rare cases of reflex epilepsy remind us that the brain is a wonderfully delicate and complex organ where the emotional, cognitive, and neurological are all intertwined. Understanding these cases not only leads to improvements in epilepsy treatment, but also advances the general knowledge of how the brain works.
Dr. Mar Carreño
Neurologist
Specialized in Epilepsy
Categories: Brain treatments, Brain pathologies, blog