WE were very sorry to read about the tragic death of Patricia Watson (LET, August 8) and would like to send our condolences to her family.

At least one in 130 people in the UK has epilepsy, making it the most common serious brain condition.

In fact epilepsy is more than three times as common as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy.

Despite its prevalence it still remains very much in the shadows, surrounded by myth and misconception.

Anybody's brain has the capacity to have a seizure and sometimes a person may develop epilepsy without any traceable cause.

Common causes, however, include scarring to the brain tissue through illness or injury.

Fortunately the majority of people with a diagnosis of epilepsy (around 75 per cent) will have their seizures fully controlled by medication.

For many others medication will help to reduce seizures to that qualify of life can be maintained.

Readers may be interested to note that the National Society for Epilepsy runs an information helpline on 01494 601400 (Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm) which is open to all people wanting more information about any aspect of epilepsy and also has a comprehensive and informative website at www.epilepsynse.org.uk

JUDY CONSDEN, Administrator, Communications Dept, National Society for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire.