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Muroni A, Floris G, Borghero G, Ardu S, Pateri MI, Pilotto S, Pisano G, Defazio G. Point prevalence of epilepsy in dementia: A "real-world" estimate. Epileptic Disord 2024; 26:209-214. [PMID: 38477959 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several studies have demonstrated a higher frequency of seizures and epilepsy in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia as compared with healthy elderly individuals. However, incidence and prevalence of epilepsy in the general population of dementia are unknown since most previous studies were performed in secondary-tertiary referral centres. In addition, all prior studies but one provided "period" rather than "point" prevalence estimates. METHODS We assessed point prevalence estimate of epileptic manifestations requiring antiepileptic medication in patients Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and fronto-temporal dementia from a secondary clinical setting. RESULTS Point prevalence estimates were 6.4% (95% CI: 1.5 to 11.3) in Alzheimer's disease, 8.9% (95% CI: 1.4 to 16.4), in vascular dementia, and 6% (95% CI: 1.3 to 10.7) in fronto-temporal dementia, rates that were greater than those observed in the healthy elderly population. Regardless of the etiology of dementia, epilepsy was characterized by unprovoked seizures that lacked distinguishing clinical features. SIGNIFICANCE These findings support epilepsy as part of the spectrum of dementia. The similar point prevalence of definite epilepsy requiring AED treatment in Alzheimer's disease and non Alzheimer dementias raised the possibility of similar underlying mechanism of epileptogenesis. Although this was not a population-based study, accurate point prevalence data from clinic setting would be important to better define the burden of epilepsy in dementia and the demands on health services to manage the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Muroni
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Floris
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Borghero
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvia Ardu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Ida Pateri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvy Pilotto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giada Pisano
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Defazio
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Bartolini E, Ferrari AR, Lattanzi S, Pradella S, Zaccara G. Drug-resistant epilepsy at the age extremes: Disentangling the underlying etiology. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 132:108739. [PMID: 35636351 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of epilepsy is highest at the extreme age ranges: childhood and elderly age. The most common syndromes in these demographics - self-limited epilepsies of childhood and idiopathic generalized epilepsies in pediatric age, focal epilepsy with structural etiology in older people - are expected to be drug responsive. In this work, we focus on such epilepsy types, overviewing the complex clinical background of unexpected drug-resistance. For self-limited epilepsies of childhood and idiopathic generalized epilepsies, we illustrate drug-resistance resulting from syndrome misinterpretation, reason on possible unexpected courses of epilepsy, and explicate the influence of inappropriate treatments. For elderly-onset epilepsy, we show the challenges in differential diagnosis possibly leading to pseudoresistance and analyze how drug-resistant epilepsy can arise in stroke, neurocognitive disorders, brain tumors, and autoimmune encephalitis. In children and senior people, drug-resistance can be regarded as a hint to review the diagnosis or explore alternative therapeutic strategies. Refractory seizures are not only a therapeutic challenge, but also a cardinal sign not to be overlooked in syndromes commonly deemed to be drug-responsive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Bartolini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Pradella
- USL Centro Toscana, Neurology Unit, Nuovo Ospedale Santo Stefano, Prato, Italy.
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Mechanisms Involved in Epileptogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease and Their Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084307. [PMID: 35457126 PMCID: PMC9030029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidence increases with age. There are reciprocal relationships between epilepsy and AD. Epilepsy is a risk factor for AD and, in turn, AD is an independent risk factor for developing epilepsy in old age, and abnormal AD biomarkers in PET and/or CSF are frequently found in late-onset epilepsies of unknown etiology. Accordingly, epilepsy and AD share pathophysiological processes, including neuronal hyperexcitability and an early excitatory-inhibitory dysregulation, leading to dysfunction in the inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic systems. Moreover, both β-amyloid and tau protein aggregates, the anatomopathological hallmarks of AD, have proepileptic effects. Finally, these aggregates have been found in the resection material of refractory temporal lobe epilepsies, suggesting that epilepsy leads to amyloid and tau aggregates. Some epileptic syndromes, such as medial temporal lobe epilepsy, share structural and functional neuroimaging findings with AD, leading to overlapping symptomatology, such as episodic memory deficits and toxic synergistic effects. In this respect, the existence of epileptiform activity and electroclinical seizures in AD appears to accelerate the progression of cognitive decline, and the presence of cognitive decline is much more prevalent in epileptic patients than in elderly patients without epilepsy. Notwithstanding their clinical significance, the diagnosis of clinical seizures in AD is a challenge. Most are focal and manifest with an altered level of consciousness without motor symptoms, and are often interpreted as cognitive fluctuations. Finally, despite the frequent association of epilepsy and AD dementia, there is a lack of clinical trials to guide the use of antiseizure medications (ASMs). There is also a potential role for ASMs to be used as disease-modifying drugs in AD.
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B. Szabo A, Cretin B, Gérard F, Curot J, J. Barbeau E, Pariente J, Dahan L, Valton L. Sleep: The Tip of the Iceberg in the Bidirectional Link Between Alzheimer's Disease and Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2022; 13:836292. [PMID: 35481265 PMCID: PMC9035794 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.836292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that a pathophysiological link might exist between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy dates back to the identification of the first cases of the pathology itself and is now strongly supported by an ever-increasing mountain of literature. An overwhelming majority of data suggests not only a higher prevalence of epilepsy in Alzheimer's disease compared to healthy aging, but also that AD patients with a comorbid epileptic syndrome, even subclinical, have a steeper cognitive decline. Moreover, clinical and preclinical investigations have revealed a marked sleep-related increase in the frequency of epileptic activities. This characteristic might provide clues to the pathophysiological pathways underlying this comorbidity. Furthermore, the preferential sleep-related occurrence of epileptic events opens up the possibility that they might hasten cognitive decline by interfering with the delicately orchestrated synchrony of oscillatory activities implicated in sleep-related memory consolidation. Therefore, we scrutinized the literature for mechanisms that might promote sleep-related epileptic activity in AD and, possibly dementia onset in epilepsy, and we also aimed to determine to what degree and through which processes such events might alter the progression of AD. Finally, we discuss the implications for patient care and try to identify a common basis for methodological considerations for future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna B. Szabo
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition (CerCo), UMR 5549, CNRS-UPS, Toulouse, France
- *Correspondence: Anna B. Szabo
| | - Benjamin Cretin
- Clinical Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Department, CM2R (Memory Resource and Research Centre), University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- CNRS, ICube Laboratory, UMR 7357 and FMTS (Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg), Team IMIS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- CMRR d'Alsace, Service de Neurologie des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Pôle Tête et Cou, Strasbourg, France
| | - Fleur Gérard
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition (CerCo), UMR 5549, CNRS-UPS, Toulouse, France
- Neurology Department, Hôpital Purpan Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jonathan Curot
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition (CerCo), UMR 5549, CNRS-UPS, Toulouse, France
- Neurology Department, Hôpital Purpan Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Emmanuel J. Barbeau
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition (CerCo), UMR 5549, CNRS-UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérémie Pariente
- Neurology Department, Hôpital Purpan Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), INSERM-University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Lionel Dahan
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Luc Valton
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition (CerCo), UMR 5549, CNRS-UPS, Toulouse, France
- Neurology Department, Hôpital Purpan Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Luc Valton
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Risk of seizures and subclinical epileptiform activity in patients with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101478. [PMID: 34601134 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seizures and subclinical epileptiform activity are common yet easily overlooked among demented patients. We aimed to investigate their epidemiological characteristics in patients with dementia from various aspects. METHODS We retrieved relevant observational studies from PubMed and Embase Library until March 2021. Pooled estimate effects were calculated using random-effects models. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020200949. RESULTS Of the 19144 identified studies, 27 were eligible for inclusion. The pooled period prevalence rates of seizures were 4.86% (95%CI: 3.43-6.51%), 2.68% (95%CI: 2.13-3.28%), 2.81% (95%CI: 2.02-3.71%)and 7.13% (95%CI: 2.67-13.14%) among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Dementia of Lewy Body (DLB), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Vascular dementia (VaD), respectively. The pooled incidence rate of seizures was [8.4 (95%CI: 4.2-12.7) per 1000 person-years] in AD patients. And the pooled relative risk of seizures in patients with AD was 3.35 (95%CI: 2.69-4.19). Besides, the pooled cumulative incidence rate and prevalence rate of subclinical epileptiform activity among AD patients were [21.41% (95%CI: 0.001-63.60%)] and 9.73% (95%CI: 0.26-28.38%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The accurate rates of seizures and subclinical epileptiform activities in the four major dementia types are high. Besides, patients with AD are likely at a higher risk of seizures.
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Xu Y, Lavrencic L, Radford K, Booth A, Yoshimura S, Anstey KJ, Anderson CS, Peters R. Systematic review of coexistent epileptic seizures and Alzheimer's disease: Incidence and prevalence. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:2011-2020. [PMID: 33740274 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Coexistent seizures add complexity to the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aim to estimate the incidence and prevalence of coexistent seizures and AD and summarize characteristics. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO protocol registration CRD42020150479). SETTING Population-, community-, hospital-, or nursing home-based. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS Thirty-nine studies reporting on seizure incidence and prevalence in 21,198 and 380,777 participants with AD, respectively, and AD prevalence in 727,446 participants with seizures. When statistical heterogeneity and inconsistency (assessed by Q statistic and I2 ) were not shown, rates were synthesized using random effect. RESULTS Studies were conducted in Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States. The incidence of seizures among people with clinically diagnosed AD ranged from 4.2 to 31.5 per 1000 person-years. Prevalence of seizures among people with clinically diagnosed AD ranged from 1.5% to 12.7% generally, but it rose to the highest (49.5% of those with early-onset AD) in one study. Meta-analysis reported a combined seizure prevalence rate among people with pathologically verified AD at 16% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14-19). Prevalence of seizure in autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) ranged from 2.8% to 41.7%. Being younger was associated with higher risk of seizure occurrence. Eleven percent of people with adult-onset seizures had AD (95%CI, 7-14). CONCLUSION Seizures are common in those with AD, and seizure monitoring may be particularly important for younger adults and those with ADAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Lavrencic
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kylie Radford
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sohei Yoshimura
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kaarin J Anstey
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Craig S Anderson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The George Institute for Global Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China.,Neurology Department, Sydney Local Area Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth Peters
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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7
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Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s Disease: Potential mechanisms for an association. Brain Res Bull 2020; 160:107-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Giorgi FS, Galgani A, Gaglione A, Ferese R, Fornai F. Effects of Prolonged Seizures on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons: Evidence and Potential Clinical Relevance. Neurotox Res 2020; 38:249-265. [PMID: 32319018 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Seizures originating from limbic structures, especially when prolonged for several minutes/hours up to status epilepticus (SE), can cause specific neurodegenerative phenomena in limbic and subcortical structures. The cholinergic nuclei belonging to the basal forebrain (BF) (namely, medial septal nucleus (MSN), diagonal band of Broca (DBB), and nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM)) belong to the limbic system, while playing a pivotal role in cognition and sleep-waking cycle. Given the strong interconnections linking these limbic nuclei with limbic cortical structures, a persistent effect of SE originating from limbic structures on cBF morphology is plausible. Nonetheless, only a few experimental studies have addressed this issue. In this review, we describe available data and discuss their significance in the scenario of seizure-induced brain damage. In detail, the manuscript moves from a recent study in a model of focally induced limbic SE, in which the pure effects of seizure spreading through the natural anatomical pathways towards the cholinergic nuclei of BF were tracked by neuronal degeneration. In this experimental setting, a loss of cholinergic neurons was measured in all BF nuclei, to various extents depending on the specific nucleus. These findings are discussed in the light of the effects on the very same nuclei following SE induced by systemic injections of kainate or pilocarpine. The various effects including discrepancies among different studies are discussed. Potential implications for human diseases are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Galgani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,IRCCS INM Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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Baker J, Libretto T, Henley W, Zeman A. The prevalence and clinical features of epileptic seizures in a memory clinic population. Seizure 2019; 71:83-92. [PMID: 31226566 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the prevalence and clinical features of epileptic seizures occurring in a memory clinic population. METHOD We recruited patients receiving a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at a regional memory clinic. We interviewed patients and informants using a proforma designed to elicit symptoms suggestive of epilepsy. Informants also completed the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) and the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory- Revised (CBI-R). Patients underwent cognitive testing using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - III (ACE-III). We also recruited an age- and gender- matched control group with no history of cognitive impairment. Diagnoses of dementia/MCI were checked against current diagnostic criteria. RESULTS We recruited 144 patients (mean age 77.98, mean ACE-III 74.16, 124 with dementia, 20 with MCI). We diagnosed epilepsy in 25.7%: probable in 12.5% (17 with dementia, 1 with MCI), possible 13.2% (18 with dementia, 1 with MCI). Seizure features included altered responsiveness, speech/behavioural arrest, oral/pharyngeal automatism, olfactory/gustatory aura, focal motor seizure, other sensory phenomena (including hallucination), and amnesia on waking. Epilepsy prevalence was significantly increased in the dementia and MCI group vs controls (p = 0.004). Cognitive performance in the patient groups did not distinguish those in whom epilepsy was suspected from those in whom it was not. Patients in whom epilepsy was suspected were more impaired on informant completed measures of daily function. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of epilepsy is increased in dementia. The seizures are often subtle and easily missed. The presence of epilepsy predicts more severe impairment in the activities of daily living.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Baker
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology, University of Exeter, College of Medicine and Health, UK.
| | - Tina Libretto
- NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility, RD&E NHS FT, UK; University of Exeter, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter, UK
| | - William Henley
- University of Exeter, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter, UK
| | - Adam Zeman
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology, University of Exeter, College of Medicine and Health, UK
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Olivé-Gadea M, Requena M, Fonseca Hernández E, Quintana M, Santamarina E, Abraira Del Fresno L, Álvarez-Sabín J, Salas-Puig X, Toledo M. Etiology, seizure type, and prognosis of epileptic seizures in the emergency department. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 92:327-331. [PMID: 30763767 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Epileptic seizures are a common reason for emergency department (ED) admittance. We aimed to describe the etiological distribution of epileptic seizures and the relationships between etiology and semiology in patients admitted to the emergency room, and to identify early prognostic factors for recurrence and mortality. METHODS A retrospective observational study was conducted in adult patients consecutively attended in the emergency room with epileptic seizures over a 2-year period. We recorded data on the etiological and syndromic classification of the seizure, and on recurrence and mortality at 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS In total, 289 patients were included. Mean age was 55.9 (±21.9 years). There were 38.6% with a previous diagnosis of epilepsy and 49.8% with new-onset seizures. Among structural epilepsies, a vascular etiology was the most common overall (28.3%) but particularly in elderly (>65 years) patients (50.9%), followed by brain tumors (15.5%). In both etiologies, most patients presented with nonconvulsive seizures. Seizure recurrence during follow-up was reported in 37.1% and was most common in patients with symptomatic remote seizures (50 patients, 41%). Brain tumors (odds ratio (OR): 5.1, confidence interval (CI): 1.7-11.8; p < 0.01), younger age (OR: 0.9, CI: 0.97-0.99; p < 0.05), and a previous diagnosis of epilepsy (OR: 3.5, CI: 1.9-6.3; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of recurrence. Overall mortality was 8.6%. Symptomatic epilepsy was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 6.3, CI 1.4-23.4; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The most common etiologies of seizures in patients admitted to the ED are seizures of unknown cause and vascular disorder-related seizures. Seizures are more likely to recur in younger patients with a tumor whereas symptomatic epilepsy is associated with a higher risk of death at a 1-year follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olivé-Gadea
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Requena
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Fonseca Hernández
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Quintana
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estevo Santamarina
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Abraira Del Fresno
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Álvarez-Sabín
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Salas-Puig
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-121, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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DiFrancesco JC, Tremolizzo L, Polonia V, Giussani G, Bianchi E, Franchi C, Nobili A, Appollonio I, Beghi E, Ferrarese C. Adult-Onset Epilepsy in Presymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease: A Retrospective Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 60:1267-1274. [PMID: 28968234 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of epilepsy with onset in adulthood increases with age, mainly due to the accumulation of brain damage. However, a significant proportion of patients experience seizures of unknown cause. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with an increased risk of seizures. Seizure activity is interpreted as a secondary event related to hyperexcitability caused by amyloid-β aggregation. OBJECTIVE Since neurodegenerative processes begin several years before clinical symptoms, epilepsy could be more frequent in the presymptomatic stages of dementia. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the prevalence of epilepsy of unknown origin with adult onset before cognitive decline in a large cohort of AD patients (EPS-AD) recruited based on clinical and neuropsychological data. Data of patients with epilepsy followed by AD were compared with two control groups: patients with AD without seizures (no EPS-AD) and a large reference population (RP). RESULTS In AD patients, the prevalence of epilepsy of unknown origin, with onset in the adulthood before cognitive decline is 17.1 times higher compared with the RP (95% CI: 10.3-28.3). In EPS-AD, seizures begin on average 4.6 years (median 2.0) before the onset of cognitive symptoms and cognitive decline starts 3.6 years earlier compared with noEPS-AD. CONCLUSIONS Neurodegenerative processes of dementia could play a key role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy in a subgroup of individuals intended to develop cognitive decline. Adult-onset epilepsy of undefined cause could thus represent a risk factor for the ongoing neurodegenerative damage, even preceding by years the onset of clinical symptoms of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lucio Tremolizzo
- Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Valeria Polonia
- School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giussani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Institute for Pharmacological Research "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Institute for Pharmacological Research "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Franchi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Institute for Pharmacological Research "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Institute for Pharmacological Research "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Ildebrando Appollonio
- Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Institute for Pharmacological Research "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMi), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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Scharfman HE, Kanner AM, Friedman A, Blümcke I, Crocker CE, Cendes F, Diaz-Arrastia R, Förstl H, Fenton AA, Grace AA, Palop J, Morrison J, Nehlig A, Prasad A, Wilcox KS, Jette N, Pohlmann-Eden B. Epilepsy as a Network Disorder (2): What can we learn from other network disorders such as dementia and schizophrenia, and what are the implications for translational research? Epilepsy Behav 2018; 78:302-312. [PMID: 29097123 PMCID: PMC5756681 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is common agreement that many disorders of the central nervous system are 'complex', that is, there are many potential factors that influence the development of the disease, underlying mechanisms, and successful treatment. Most of these disorders, unfortunately, have no cure at the present time, and therapeutic strategies often have debilitating side effects. Interestingly, some of the 'complexities' of one disorder are found in another, and the similarities are often network defects. It seems likely that more discussions of these commonalities could advance our understanding and, therefore, have clinical implications or translational impact. With this in mind, the Fourth International Halifax Epilepsy Conference and Retreat was held as described in the prior paper, and this companion paper focuses on the second half of the meeting. Leaders in various subspecialties of epilepsy research were asked to address aging and dementia or psychosis in people with epilepsy (PWE). Commonalities between autism, depression, aging and dementia, psychosis, and epilepsy were the focus of the presentations and discussion. In the last session, additional experts commented on new conceptualization of translational epilepsy research efforts. Here, the presentations are reviewed, and salient points are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E Scharfman
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurosciences and Physiology, and the Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Andres M Kanner
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Room #1324, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alon Friedman
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ingmar Blümcke
- Neuropathological Institute, University Hospitals Erlangen, Germany
| | - Candice E Crocker
- Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Fernando Cendes
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, 13083-888 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ramon Diaz-Arrastia
- Centre for Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 12725 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Hans Förstl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Strabe 22, D-81675 Munich, Germany
| | - André A Fenton
- Centre for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, Room 809, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- University of Pittsburgh, 456 Langley Hall, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15269, USA
| | - Jorge Palop
- Department of Neurology, Gladstone Institute, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2261, USA
| | - Jason Morrison
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Astrid Nehlig
- INSERM U 1129, Hôpital Necker, Paris, Faculty of Medicine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Asuri Prasad
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Karen S Wilcox
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bernd Pohlmann-Eden
- Brain Repair Center, Life Science Research Institute, Dalhousie University, Room 229, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H4R2, Canada.
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Subota A, Pham T, Jetté N, Sauro K, Lorenzetti D, Holroyd-Leduc J. The association between dementia and epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsia 2017; 58:962-972. [PMID: 28397967 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dementia is among the top 15 conditions with the most substantial increase in burden of disease in the past decade, and along with epilepsy, among the top 25 causes of years lived with disability worldwide. The epidemiology of dementia in persons with epilepsy, and vice versa, is not well characterized. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the prevalence, incidence, and reported risk factors for dementia in epilepsy and epilepsy in dementia. METHODS Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane databases were searched from inception. Papers were included if they reported the incidence and/or prevalence of dementia and epilepsy. Two individuals independently performed duplicate abstract and full-text review, data extraction, and quality assessment. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled estimates when feasible. RESULTS Of the 3,043 citations identified, 64 were reviewed in full text and 19 articles were included. The period prevalence of dementia ranged from 8.1 to 17.5 per 100 persons among persons with epilepsy (insufficient data to pool). The pooled period prevalence of epilepsy among persons with dementia was 5 per 100 persons (95% confidence interval [CI] 1-9) in population-based settings and 4 per 100 persons (95% CI 1-6) in clinic settings. There were insufficient data to report a pooled overall incidence rate and only limited data on risk factors. SIGNIFICANCE There are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the epidemiology of epilepsy in dementia and vice versa. Accurate estimates are needed to inform public health policy and prevention, and to understand health resource needs for these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Subota
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tram Pham
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nathalie Jetté
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Khara Sauro
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Diane Lorenzetti
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jayna Holroyd-Leduc
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Giorgi FS, Guida M, Vergallo A, Bonuccelli U, Zaccara G. Treatment of epilepsy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:309-318. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1243469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa-Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa-Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa-Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa-Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gaetano Zaccara
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Florence Health Authority, Firenze, Italy
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