Living with Isolated focal cortical dysplasia type II
A brain development condition that causes hard-to-control seizures, usually starting in early childhood.
Understanding Isolated focal cortical dysplasia type II
There are two subtypes: IIA, without balloon cells, and IIB, with balloon cells. Seizures usually start in early childhood. Some people have lasting intellectual disability. Most people need surgery to remove the affected brain tissue to lessen how often and how severe the seizures are.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary describes these features:
- Seizures that are hard to control
- Seizures starting in early childhood
- Lasting intellectual disability in some people
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Epilepsy Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is a malformation of how the brain developed.
Also known as: cortical dysplasia of taylor; cortical dysplasia, taylor type; fcd type ii; fcord2; focal cortical dysplasia type ii; focal cortical dysplasia, type ii, somatic
Patient organizations
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Isolated focal cortical dysplasia type II.
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