Summary
| Direction in Epilepsy | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological |
| Compared against | control mice |
| Associated symptoms | spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) activity |
| Source | Runtz et al. 2018 — doi:10.1111/epi.13942 |
| Condition atlas | Epilepsy Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where GFAP is reported
- GFAP in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC
- GFAP in Multiple Sclerosis — ↑ elevated vs progressive MS vs healthy/non-progressive
See the cross-condition hub: GFAP across conditions.
Related Neurological markers in Epilepsy
Full list: Epilepsy Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is GFAP high or low in Epilepsy?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher GFAP in Epilepsy than in control mice. Source: Runtz et al. 2018.
What symptoms is GFAP associated with in Epilepsy?
The cited literature associates this marker with spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) activity. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures GFAP?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for GFAP, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal GFAP result diagnostic of Epilepsy?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Epilepsy. GFAP findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is GFAP specific to Epilepsy?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID, Multiple Sclerosis in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from epilepsy.json · Browse: Epilepsy atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.