Scientists identify genetic cause for a type of childhood epilepsy

Imagine “blanking out” of consciousness up to 200 times daily while you’re learning in a classroom, playing baseball, taking ballet lessons or riding a bike. This is a common occurrence in the life of a child with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). The condition is associated with frequent “absent” seizures where the patient’s consciousness is impaired leaving the child staring blankly ahead not aware or responsive for up to 10 seconds at a time.