Parthanatos, a new form of programmed cell death, is characterized by hyperactivation of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1), excessive synthesis of poly ADP‐ribose polymer, mitochondrial depolarization, and nuclear translocation of apoptosis‐inducing factor, observed in various neurodegenerative disorders but rarely reported in epilepsy. The gene discussed is PARP1; the disease is epilepsy.