Which condition is characterized by cortical dysplasia leading to seizures?

The condition characterized by cortical dysplasia leading to seizures is tuberous sclerosis. This genetic disorder leads to the growth of non-cancerous tumors in various organs, including the brain. Specifically, in tuberous sclerosis, cortical dysplasia manifests as the presence of tubers—abnormal nodular formations in the cerebral cortex. These tubers disrupt normal cortical structure, which is closely associated with epileptic activity, resulting in seizures.

While other conditions, such as lissencephaly and cortical dysgenesis, also involve abnormalities in brain structure, tuberous sclerosis is specifically recognized for the presence of cortical tubers and the consequent seizure activity they can provoke. Neurofibromatosis is characterized by the growth of tumors on nerve tissues and does not directly lead to cortical dysplasia in the same way as tuberous sclerosis. The relationship between these abnormalities and the development of epilepsy underscores the critical link between structural brain abnormalities and seizure disorders.