SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Epilepsy-in-Older-Adults

Epilepsy in Older Adults

Epilepsy in Older Adults: Pathogenesis and clinical findings Cerebrovascular disease (1⁄3 of cases), primarily ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage Ischemic and hemorrhagic injuries cause inflammation and nerve cell degeneration Glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) proliferate around the lesion area to repair the damaged tissue Glial scar formation impedes neuronal reconnection and growth Alzheimer’s or Vascular Dementia Central nervous system disease (e.g. traumatic brain injury, prior meningitis, mass) Medications associated with hyponatremia (e.g. diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc.) Cerebral edema Increased intracranial pressure Compression on structures and blood vessels Sleep deprivation Tau or amyloid deposition (abnormal protein aggregates in brain) Small vessel disease Increased delta wave activity Heightened neural excitability Decreased seizure threshold Elevated stress hormones (e.g. cortisol) Increased neuronal excitability and decreased inhibition Areas of tissue death, white matter changes & cortical irritability Structural and electrical brain changes Epilepsy: Neurological disorder characterized by increased susceptibility to recurrent unprovoked seizures Excessive, hypersynchronous & oscillatory network function Imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory activity Resultant seizure activity Atypical Seizure pattern; e.g. seem confused, stare into space, wander, make unusual movements, inability to answer questions Often atypical location in brain (limbic or neocortical) Focal seizures are more common than generalized Postictal paresis can last for days & disorientation, hyperactivity, wandering and incontinence may persist for 1 week Neurotransmitter dysregulation, neural network disruption, genetic factors, psychosocial factors Psychiatric comorbidities Authors: Anna Crone Reviewers: Anika Zaman, Rachel Carson, Raafi Ali, Luiza Radu, Gary Michael K Klein* * MD at time of publication Widespread structural changes and hippocampal atrophy Dementia Sub-optimal treatment results in ongoing and more frequent epileptic seizures Status epilepticus (higher mortality among older adults) Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications Published Oct 4, 2024 on www.thecalgaryguide.com