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Treatment and management of epilepsy in the elderly demented patient
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Treatment and management of epilepsy in the elderly demented patient

Sigmund Jenssen and Daniel Schere
American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, v 25(1)
Feb 2010
PMID: 18515469
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317508319433View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze) Open

Abstract

Aged Anticonvulsants - pharmacokinetics Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use Brain - metabolism Dementia - epidemiology Electroencephalography Epilepsy - diagnosis Epilepsy - drug therapy Epilepsy - epidemiology Humans Risk Factors
Epilepsy and seizures are more frequent in the elderly population than in any other age group. The number of individuals older than 65 is constantly increasing, and dementia is a process that predominantly affects this age group. Several studies have shown that dementia is an important risk factor for developing seizures and epilepsy. Seizure semiology in the elderly demented might differ from that of younger age groups and diagnosis can be complicated further by the variety of other causes of transient changes of alertness and behavior that affects these patients. The pharmacokinetic changes of antiepileptic drugs in the elderly make this group a major therapeutic challenge. Side effects and drug interactions play a major role in the choice of antiepileptic agents. This review intends to summarize the existing data to see whether this can help guide the clinician in the treatment and management of epilepsy in the elderly patient with dementia. Nonpharmacologic therapeutic options are also briefly considered.

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21 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Geriatrics & Gerontology
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