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Epilepsy in the Elderly: Risk Factors and Management Approaches

  • Neurology of Aging (K. Marder, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Geriatrics Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Epilepsy, particularly new onset, disproportionately affects the elderly at high rates. We summarize the literature on etiologic risk factors and the evidence behind medical and surgical treatments for geriatric epilepsy.

Recent Findings

Incident epilepsy in the elderly is most commonly focal onset resulting from structural brain disease. Levetiracetam was well tolerated and as effective as older medications for new onset seizures. Small studies on epilepsy surgery show favorable outcomes in older patients; however, surgery may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive deficits and complications.

Summary

Further studies are needed to examine the utility of newer antiepileptic medications in the elderly. In particular, the selection of a good surgical candidate in this age group requires more detailed investigation.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Brad K. Kamitaki & Hyunmi Choi

  2. Neurological Institute of New York, 710 West 168th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Hyunmi Choi

Authors
  1. Brad K. Kamitaki
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Correspondence to Hyunmi Choi.

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Brad Kamitaki and Hyunmi Choi declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurology of Aging

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Kamitaki, B.K., Choi, H. Epilepsy in the Elderly: Risk Factors and Management Approaches. Curr Geri Rep 7, 12–18 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0235-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0235-3

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