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Reyes A, Hermann BP, Prabhakaran D, Ferguson L, Almane DN, Shih JJ, Iragui-Madoz VJ, Struck A, Punia V, Jones JE, Busch RM, McDonald CR. Validity of the MoCA as a cognitive screening tool in epilepsy: Are there implications for global care and research? Epilepsia Open 2024. [PMID: 38874380 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of a widely available cognitive screener, the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), to detect cognitive impairment in older patients (age ≥ 55) with epilepsy residing in the US, using the International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE) as the gold standard. METHODS Fifty older adults with focal epilepsy completed the MoCA and neuropsychological measures of memory, language, executive function, and processing speed/attention. The IC-CoDE taxonomy divided participants into IC-CoDE Impaired and Intact groups. Sensitivity and specificity across several MoCA cutoffs were examined. Spearman correlations examined relationships between the MoCA total score and clinical and demographic variables and MoCA domain scores and individual neuropsychological tests. RESULTS IC-CoDE impaired patients demonstrated significantly lower scores on the MoCA total, visuospatial/executive, naming, language, delayed recall, and orientation domain scores (Cohen's d range: 0.336-2.77). The recommended MoCA cutoff score < 26 had an overall accuracy of 72%, 88.2% sensitivity, and 63.6% specificity. A MoCA cutoff score < 24 yielded optimal sensitivity (70.6%) and specificity (78.8%), with overall accuracy of 76%. Higher MoCA total scores were associated with greater years of education (p = 0.016) and fewer antiseizure medications (p = 0.049). The MoCA memory domain was associated with several standardized measures of memory, MoCA language domain with category fluency, and MoCA abstraction domain with letter fluency. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides initial validation of the MoCA as a useful screening tool for older adults with epilepsy that can be used to identify patients who may benefit from comprehensive neuropsychological testing. Further, we demonstrate that a lower cutoff (i.e., <24) better captures cognitive impairment in older adults with epilepsy than the generally recommended cutoff and provides evidence for construct overlap between MoCA domains and standard neuropsychological tests. Critically, similar efforts in other regions of the world are needed. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) can be a helpful tool to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults with epilepsy. We recommend that adults 55 or older with epilepsy who score less than 24 on the MoCA are referred to a neuropsychologist for a comprehensive evaluation to assess any changes in cognitive abilities and mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Reyes
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bruce P Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Divya Prabhakaran
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lisa Ferguson
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dace N Almane
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jerry J Shih
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Aaron Struck
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Vineet Punia
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jana E Jones
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Carrie R McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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Zhou X, Liu Y, Wu Z, Zhang X, Tao H. Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy: Research hotspots for comorbidity in the era of global aging. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 157:109849. [PMID: 38820684 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy share a significant clinical overlap, particularly in the elderly, with each disorder potentiating the risk of the other. This interplay is significant amidst an aging global demographic. The review explores the classical pathologies of AD, including amyloid-beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau, and their potential role in the genesis of epilepsy. It also delves into the imbalance of glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid activities, a key mechanism in epilepsy that may be influenced by AD pathology. The impact of age of onset on comorbidity is examined, with early-onset AD and Down syndrome presenting higher risks of epilepsy. The review suggests that epilepsy might precede cognitive symptoms in AD, indicating a complex interaction. Sleep modulation is highlighted as a factor, with sleep disturbances potentially contributing to AD progression. The necessity for cautious medication management is emphasized due to the cognitive effects of certain antiepileptic drugs. Animal models are recognized for their importance in understanding the relationship between AD and epilepsy, though creating fully representative models presents a challenge. The review concludes by noting the efficacy of medications such as lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and memantine in managing both conditions and suggests the ketogenic diet and cannabidiol as emerging treatment options, warranting further investigation for comprehensive patient care strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Clinical Research and Experimental Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Zhengjuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Xiaolu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Hua Tao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China.
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Chen X, Luo J, Song M, Pan L, Qu Z, Huang B, Yu S, Shu H. Challenges and prospects in geriatric epilepsy treatment: the role of the blood-brain barrier in pharmacotherapy and drug delivery. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1342366. [PMID: 38389560 PMCID: PMC10882099 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1342366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is pivotal in maintaining neuronal physiology within the brain. This review delves into the alterations of the BBB specifically in the context of geriatric epilepsy. We examine how age-related changes in the BBB contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy in the elderly and present significant challenges in pharmacotherapy. Subsequently, we evaluate recent advancements in drug delivery methods targeting the BBB, as well as alternative approaches that could bypass the BBB's restrictive nature. We particularly highlight the use of neurotropic viruses and various synthetic nanoparticles that have been investigated for delivering a range of antiepileptic drugs. Additionally, the advantage and limitation of these diverse delivery methods are discussed. Finally, we analyze the potential efficacy of different drug delivery approaches in the treatment of geriatric epilepsy, aiming to provide insights into more effective management of this condition in the elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Juan Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhichuang Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Burn and Plastic, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sixun Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haifeng Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Bingaman N, Ferguson L, Thompson N, Reyes A, McDonald CR, Hermann BP, Arrotta K, Busch RM. The relationship between mood and anxiety and cognitive phenotypes in adults with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3331-3341. [PMID: 37814399 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are often at a high risk for cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities. Several cognitive phenotypes have been identified in TLE, but it is unclear how phenotypes relate to psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. This observational study investigated the relationship between cognitive phenotypes and psychiatric symptomatology in TLE. METHODS A total of 826 adults (age = 40.3, 55% female) with pharmacoresistant TLE completed a neuropsychological evaluation that included at least two measures from five cognitive domains to derive International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE) cognitive phenotypes (i.e., intact, single-domain impairment, bi-domain impairment, generalized impairment). Participants also completed screening measures for depression and anxiety. Psychiatric history and medication data were extracted from electronic health records. Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression models examined the relationship between IC-CoDE phenotypes and psychiatric variables after controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS Patients with elevated depressive symptoms had a greater odds of demonstrating increasingly worse cognitive phenotypes than patients without significant depressive symptomatology (odds ratio [OR] = 1.123-1.993, all corrected p's < .05). Number of psychotropic (OR = 1.584, p < .05) and anti-seizure medications (OR = 1.507, p < .001), use of anti-seizure medications with mood-worsening effects (OR = 1.748, p = .005), and history of a psychiatric diagnosis (OR = 1.928, p < .05) also increased the odds of a more severe cognitive phenotype, while anxiety symptoms were unrelated. SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates that psychiatric factors are not only associated with function in specific cognitive domains but also with the pattern and extent of deficits across cognitive domains. Results suggest that depressive symptoms and medications are strongly related to cognitive phenotype in adults with TLE and support the inclusion of these factors as diagnostic modifiers for cognitive phenotypes in future work. Longitudinal studies that incorporate neuroimaging findings are warranted to further our understanding of the complex relationships between cognition, mood, and seizures and to determine whether non-pharmacologic treatment of mood symptoms alters cognitive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan Bingaman
- Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa Ferguson
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, Cleveland, USA
| | - Nicolas Thompson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Anny Reyes
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences and Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Carrie R McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences and Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bruce P Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kayela Arrotta
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, Cleveland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, Cleveland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Hasegawa N, Annaka H. Long-term effect associated with seizures and dynamic effect associated with treatment on cognitive dysfunction of adult patients with focal epilepsy as evaluated by the Trail Making Test. Epileptic Disord 2023; 25:731-738. [PMID: 37518899 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was performed to clarify the utility of the Trail Making Test (TMT) in evaluating the effects of the course of epilepsy on cognitive function by evaluating the course of epileptic seizures and the results of the TMT over time. METHODS We performed the TMT twice at a 1-year interval for each patient with focal epilepsy. We performed multiple regression analyses with the first TMT scores as dependent variables and clinical features as independent variables. Next, we performed a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to evaluate the difference between the first and second TMT scores for patients in each seizure prognosis group. RESULTS We enrolled 132 adult patients in this study. Multiple regression analyses showed that longer active seizure periods were associated with worse first TMT-B performance (β = .318, p < .001) and B-A (β = .377, p < .001) and that the number of antiseizure medicines was associated with worse first TMT-A performance (β = .186, p = .025). In addition, topiramate and zonisamide adversely affected TMT performance. MANCOVA showed an interaction between the prognosis of TMT-B performance and the seizure prognosis [F(2, 120) = 3.68, p = .028]. Subeffect tests revealed that the second TMT-B performance improved only in the seizure improvement group [F(1, 10) = 10.07, p = .01]. SIGNIFICANCE Epileptic seizures were shown to be associated with both long-term and dynamic adverse effects on cognitive function evaluated with the TMT in adult patients with focal epilepsy. Seizure control is important for improving the cognitive function of patients with epilepsy; however, the potential adverse effects of polypharmacy and some antiseizure medicines such as zonisamide and topiramate on cognitive function should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital Organization, Nishiniigata Chuo Hospital Epilepsy Center, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroki Annaka
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
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Reyes A, Schneider ALC, Kucharska-Newton AM, Gottesman RF, Johnson EL, McDonald CR. Cognitive phenotypes in late-onset epilepsy: results from the atherosclerosis risk in communities study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1230368. [PMID: 37745655 PMCID: PMC10513940 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1230368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cognitive phenotyping is a widely used approach to characterize the heterogeneity of deficits in patients with a range of neurological disorders but has only recently been applied to patients with epilepsy. In this study, we identify cognitive phenotypes in older adults with late-onset epilepsy (LOE) and examine their demographic, clinical, and vascular profiles. Further, we examine whether specific phenotypes pose an increased risk for progressive cognitive decline. Methods Participants were part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), a prospective longitudinal community-based cohort study of 15,792 individuals initially enrolled in 1987-1989. LOE was identified from linked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims data. Ninety-one participants with LOE completed comprehensive testing either prior to or after seizure onset as part of a larger cohort in the ARIC Neurocognitive Study in either 2011-2013 or 2016-2017 (follow-up mean = 4.9 years). Cognitive phenotypes in individuals with LOE were derived by calculating test-level impairments for each participant (i.e., ≤1 SD below cognitively normal participants on measures of language, memory, and executive function/processing speed); and then assigning participants to phenotypes if they were impaired on at least two tests within a domain. The total number of impaired domains was used to determine the cognitive phenotypes (i.e., Minimal/No Impairment, Single Domain, or Multidomain). Results At our baseline (Visit 5), 36.3% met criteria for Minimal/No Impairment, 35% for Single Domain Impairment (with executive functioning/ processing speed impaired in 53.6%), and 28.7% for Multidomain Impairment. The Minimal/No Impairment group had higher education and occupational complexity. There were no differences in clinical or vascular risk factors across phenotypes. Of those participants with longitudinal data (Visit 6; n = 24), 62.5% declined (i.e., progressed to a more impaired phenotype) and 37.5% remained stable. Those who remained stable were more highly educated compared to those that declined. Discussion Our results demonstrate the presence of identifiable cognitive phenotypes in older adults with LOE. These results also highlight the high prevalence of cognitive impairments across domains, with deficits in executive function/processing speed the most common isolated impairment. We also demonstrate that higher education was associated with a Minimal/No Impairment phenotype and lower risk for cognitive decline over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Reyes
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Andrea L. C. Schneider
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anna M. Kucharska-Newton
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rebecca F. Gottesman
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Emily L. Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Carrie R. McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Hoxhaj P, Habiya SK, Sayabugari R, Balaji R, Xavier R, Ahmad A, Khanam M, Kachhadia MP, Patel T, Abdin ZU, Haider A, Nazir Z. Investigating the Impact of Epilepsy on Cognitive Function: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e41223. [PMID: 37525802 PMCID: PMC10387362 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been noted that people who have epilepsy have an increased propensity for cognitive dysfunction. We explored 25 relevant articles on PubMed and Cochrane Library after implementing inclusion criteria. Different factors have been postulated and studied that may cause cognitive dysfunction in these patients; structural brain abnormalities, polypharmacy of antiepileptic medication, and neuropsychiatric disorders are the most common causes. Cognitive assessments such as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) are the mainstay tools used to diagnose the degree of cognitive decline, and alterations in EEG (electroencephalogram) parameters have also been noted in people with cognitive decline. The mechanisms and treatments for cognitive decline are still being studied, while attention has also been directed toward preventive and predictive methods. Early detection and treatment of cognitive impairment can help minimize its impact on the patient's quality of life. Regular cognitive assessments are essential for epileptic patients, particularly those on multiple antiepileptic drugs. While proper management of epilepsy and related comorbidities would reduce cognitive decline and improve the overall quality of life for people with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranvera Hoxhaj
- Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Tirana, ALB
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Scher & Kerenyi MDS, New York, USA
| | - Sana K Habiya
- Internal Medicine, Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research, Jalna, IND
- Public Health, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Roghan Balaji
- Neurology, Ponjesly Super Speciality Hospital, Nagercoil, IND
- Neurology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry, IND
| | - Roshni Xavier
- Internal Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, IND
- Internal Medicine, Carewell Hospital, Malappuram, IND
| | - Arghal Ahmad
- Internal Medicine, Ziauddin University, Karachi, PAK
| | | | | | - Tirath Patel
- Internal Medicine, American University of Antigua, St John, ATG
| | - Zain U Abdin
- Internal Medicine, District Head Quarter Hospital, Faisalabad, PAK
| | - Ali Haider
- Internal Medicine, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta, PAK
| | - Zahra Nazir
- Internal Medicine Clinical Research, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
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The Impact of Epilepsy on Complication Rates After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study. J Arthroplasty 2023; 38:209-214.e1. [PMID: 35988826 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear how epilepsy may affect total joint arthroplasty outcomes. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of epilepsy on prosthesis-related complications following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database. Patients who have epilepsy underwent a primary THA (n = 6,981) and TKA (n = 4,987) and were matched 1:4 (THA, n = 27,924; TKA, n = 19,948). Rates of low-energy falls and prosthesis-related complications within 2 years postoperatively were compared for patients who did and did not have epilepsy with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS After primary TKA, patients who have epilepsy exhibited significantly higher rates of aseptic revision (4.3% versus 3.5%, odds ratio [OR] 1.21, P = .017) and revision for prosthetic joint infection (1.8% versus 1.3%, OR 1.29, P = .041). THA patients who have epilepsy exhibited significantly higher rates of prosthetic dislocation (3.2% versus 1.9%, OR 1.54, P < .001), periprosthetic fracture (2.2% versus 0.8%, OR 2.39, P < .001), and aseptic loosening (1.7% versus 1.1%, OR 1.40, P = .002). Rates of low-energy falls within 2 years after TKA (14.1% versus 6.4%, OR 2.19, P < .001) and THA (33.6% versus 7.5%, OR 5.95, P < .001) were also significantly higher for patients who have epilepsy. CONCLUSION Epilepsy was associated with significantly higher rates of falls (P < .001) and prosthesis-related complications after primary THA (P < .05) and TKA (P < .05). Precautions should be implemented in this population during intraoperative and perioperative decision-making to reduce complication risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.
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Asnakew S, Legas G, Belete A, Admasu FT, Yitbarek GY, Aytenew TM, Demise B, Alemu EM, Alemu MA, Bayih WA, Feleke DG, Chanie ES, Birhane BM, Kefale D. Cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient department of South Gondar zone hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia 2020 /2021. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278908. [PMID: 36490273 PMCID: PMC9733840 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder which is further complicated by neurobehavioral co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, and social problems. However, assessments of cognitive status of epileptic patients are far too low during clinical visits. This calls for early neuropsychological assessment soon after the diagnosis of epilepsy for a better treatment plan and outcome for epileptic patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the cognitive adverse effects of epilepsy and its predictors attending outpatient departments of South Gondar Zone hospitals Amhara region Ethiopia 2020/2021. METHODS A multi-center institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 509 respondents were included with a response rate of 93.9%. Previously adapted pretested structured questionnaire was used containing, socio-demographic, clinical, and seizure related factors. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive impairment. A systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2 then exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions with odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were employed. The level of significance of association was determined at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS Prevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was 69.2% (95%CI; 65.4, 73.1). Rural residents (AOR = 4.16,95%CI, 1.99,8.67), respondents who couldn't read and write (AOR = 2.62, 95%CI; 1.24, 5.5,) longer duration of seizure disorder (AOR = 4.59,95%CI; 2.01,10.52), taking combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin (AOR = 4.69,95%CI; 1.88,11.69), having history of head injury (AOR = 3.29,95%CI;1.30,8.32), having depression (AOR = 4.76,95%CI;2.83,7.98), and anxiety (AOR = 3.11,95%CI; 1.58,6.12) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of cognitive impairment in this study was high. Regular neuropsychiatric assessment of patients with epilepsy should be encouraged especially for those participants with longer durations of illness, who are rural residents, who take combined Phenobarbital and Phenytoin, participants who had a history of head injury, depression, and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintayehu Asnakew
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Getasew Legas
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Amsalu Belete
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Fitalew Tadele Admasu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Yideg Yitbarek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Tigabu Munye Aytenew
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Science Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Biruk Demise
- Departments of Social and Population Health, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Eshetie Molla Alemu
- Departments of Social and Population Health, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Adela Alemu
- Departemnt of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Wubet Alebachew Bayih
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neonatal Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Dejen Getaneh Feleke
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neonatal Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Ermias Sisay Chanie
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neonatal Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Binyam Munye Birhane
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neonatal Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Demewoz Kefale
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neonatal Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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Novak A, Vizjak K, Gacnik A, Rakusa M. Cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening tool. Acta Neurol Belg 2022; 123:451-456. [PMID: 35925540 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-02046-4] [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: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although cognitive impairment is common in people with epilepsy, it is often neglected in outpatient clinics. MoCA is a simple and reliable test, which was validated for the cognitive screening of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to evaluate MoCA as a tool for a cognitive screening of people with epilepsy. METHODS Our study included 50 people with epilepsy and 46 healthy individuals. All participants took the Slovenian version of the MoCA. Mean age, education and MoCA scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was no significant difference between people with epilepsy and the controls in age (47.6, SD 18.1 vs 50.9, SD 14.0 years) or education (12.8, SD 2.8 vs 13.4, SD 2.8 years). People with epilepsy had significantly lower total MoCA scores than did the controls (23.3, SD 4.5 vs 27.5, SD 1.9 points; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS People with epilepsy achieved a lower score in several cognitive domains compared to the control group. MoCA can be used as an appropriate screening tool for cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy in the outpatient clinic. For a more accurate evaluation, neuropsychological assessments should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Novak
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Karmen Vizjak
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Albin Gacnik
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Martin Rakusa
- Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
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11
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DiFrancesco JC, Labate A, Romoli M, Chipi E, Salvadori N, Galimberti CA, Perani D, Ferrarese C, Costa C. Clinical and Instrumental Characterization of Patients With Late-Onset Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2022; 13:851897. [PMID: 35359649 PMCID: PMC8963711 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.851897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is classically considered a childhood disease. However, it represents the third most frequent neurological condition in the elderly, following stroke, and dementia. With the progressive aging of the general population, the number of patients with Late-Onset Epilepsy (LOE) is constantly growing, with important economic and social consequences, in particular for the more developed countries where the percentage of elderly people is higher. The most common causes of LOE are structural, mainly secondary to cerebrovascular or infectious diseases, brain tumors, trauma, and metabolic or toxic conditions. Moreover, there is a growing body of evidence linking LOE with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, despite a thorough characterization, the causes of LOE remain unknown in a considerable portion of patients, thus termed as Late-Onset Epilepsy of Unknown origin (LOEU). In order to identify the possible causes of the disease, with an important impact in terms of treatment and prognosis, LOE patients should always undergo an exhaustive phenotypic characterization. In this work, we provide a detailed review of the main clinical and instrumental techniques for the adequate characterization of LOE patients in the clinical practice. This work aims to provide an easy and effective tool that supports routine activity of the clinicians facing LOE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo C. DiFrancesco
- Department of Neurology, ASST S. Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- *Correspondence: Jacopo C. DiFrancesco
| | - Angelo Labate
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images (BIOMORF), University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Michele Romoli
- Section of Neurology, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Chipi
- Section of Neurology, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Nicola Salvadori
- Section of Neurology, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Perani
- Nuclear Medicine Unit and Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Department of Neurology, ASST S. Gerardo Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Cinzia Costa
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12
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Arulsamy A, Shaikh MF. Epilepsy-associated comorbidities among adults: A plausible therapeutic role of gut microbiota. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 165:105648. [PMID: 35121147 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a debilitating disorder that affects about 70 million people in the world currently. Most patients with epilepsy (PWE) often reported at least one type of comorbid disorder. These may include neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive deficits, migraine, cardiovascular dysfunction, systemic autoimmune disorders and others. Current treatment strategies against epilepsy-associated comorbidities have been based on targeting each disorder separately with either anti-seizure medications (ASMs), anti-inflammatories or anti-depressant drugs, which have often given inconsistent and ineffective results. Gut dysbiosis may be a common pathological pathway between epilepsy and its comorbid disorders, and thus may serve as a possible intervention target. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to elucidate the potential pathological and therapeutic role of the gut microbiota in adult epilepsy-associated comorbidities. This review noticed a scarcity in the current literature on studies investigating the direct role of the gut microbiota in relation to epilepsy-associated comorbidities. Nevertheless, gut dysbiosis have been implicated in both epilepsy and its associated comorbidities, with similarities seen in the imbalance of certain gut microbiota phyla (Firmicutes), but differences seen in the mechanism of action. Current gut-related interventions such as probiotics have been consistently reported across studies to provide beneficial effects in correcting gut dysbiosis and improving various disorders, independent of epilepsy. However, whether these beneficial effects may translate towards epilepsy-associated comorbidities have yet to be determined. Thus, future studies determining the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota interventions in PWE with epilepsy-associated comorbidities may effectively improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Arulsamy
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
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13
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Novak A, Vizjak K, Rakusa M. Cognitive Impairment in People with Epilepsy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:267. [PMID: 35012007 PMCID: PMC8746065 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
People with epilepsy frequently have cognitive impairment. The majority of cognitive problems is influenced by a variety of interlinked factors, including the early onset of epilepsy and the frequency, intensity and duration of seizures, along with the anti-epileptic drug treatment. With a systematic review, we investigate significant factors about the cognitive impairment in epilepsy. Most cognitive problems in adult people with epilepsy include memory, attention and executive function deficits. However, which cognitive area is mainly affected highly depends on the location of epileptic activity. Moreover, modifications in signalling pathways and neuronal networks have an essential role in both the pathophysiology of epilepsy and in the mechanism responsible for cognitive impairment. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of polytherapy in the treatment of epilepsy with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) heightens the risk for cognitive impairment. It can be challenging to distinguish the contribution of each factor, because they are often closely intertwined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Rakusa
- Department of Neurologic Diseases, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (A.N.); (K.V.)
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14
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Wang H, Zhao P, Zhao J, Zhong J, Pan P, Wang G, Yi Z. Theory of Mind and Empathy in Adults With Epilepsy: A Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:877957. [PMID: 35573343 PMCID: PMC9093035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.877957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that social cognitive abilities [including theory of mind (ToM) and empathy] are impaired in adult patients with epilepsy. Although the deficits in overall ToM in epilepsy have been documented well, the effects of epilepsy on empathic ability and specific subcomponents of ToM remain unclear. The primary aim of this study was to provide the first meta-analytic integration of ToM and empathy in adult patients with epilepsy, and to decompose these constructs to clearly differentiate their distinct (cognitive ToM and affective empathy) and overlapping (affective ToM/cognitive empathy) components. This meta-analysis included 28 studies. Adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) showed impairments in cognitive ToM and affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the healthy controls (HCs); no group differences were identified for affective empathy. Besides, cognitive ToM was impaired in adult patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and focal seizures (caused by epileptogenic foci) outside the temporal and frontal lobes (extra-TLE/FLE) and no group differences were evident for affective ToM/cognitive empathy compared to the HCs. Moreover, relative to the HCs, no group differences were identified for affective empathy in adult patients with IGE. Additionally, no (statistically) significant difference was observed between the magnitude of ToM/empathy impairment in adult patients who underwent and those who did not undergo epilepsy surgery. These quantitative findings suggest differential impairment of the core aspects of social cognitive processing in adult patients with epilepsy, which may contribute to the development of structured cognitive interventions (i.e., social cognitive training) for adult patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- HongZhou Wang
- Department of Neurology, Anting Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - PanWen Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - JianGuo Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - PingLei Pan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China.,Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - GenDi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
| | - ZhongQuan Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng, China
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15
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Bergantin LB. Neuroinflammation, diabetes, and COVID-19: Perspectives coming from Ca2+/cAMP signalling. Curr Drug Res Rev 2021; 14:6-10. [PMID: 34970961 DOI: 10.2174/2589977514666211231141401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A link between inflammatory diseases, e.g., epilepsy, dementia, diabetes, and COVID-19, has been established. For instance, observational studies with several individuals established that people with epilepsy have shown an enhanced incidence of manifesting dysfunctions related to cognition, e.g., dementia, while people with dementia have a higher incidence of manifesting epilepsy, thus an evident bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and dementia might occur. In addition, epilepsy commonly cooccurs in patients with diabetes, so an association between these two disorders is also discussed. Intriguingly, some reports have also observed a poor prognosis for people with both diabetes and COVID-19. It is recognized that a dyshomeostasis of both Ca2+ and cAMP signalling pathways could be a molecular connection for these disorders. OBJECTIVES Therefore, clarifying this clinical relationship among epilepsy, dementia, diabetes, and COVID-19 may outcome in novel hypotheses for identifying the etiology of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Bueno Bergantin
- Department of Pharmacology - Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - Vila Clementino, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
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16
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Romoli M, Sen A, Parnetti L, Calabresi P, Costa C. Amyloid-β: a potential link between epilepsy and cognitive decline. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:469-485. [PMID: 34117482 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
People with epilepsy - in particular, late-onset epilepsy of unknown aetiology - have an elevated risk of dementia, and seizures have been detected in the early stages of Alzheimer disease (AD), supporting the concept of an epileptic AD prodrome. However, the relationship between epilepsy and cognitive decline remains controversial, with substantial uncertainties about whether epilepsy drives cognitive decline or vice versa, and whether shared pathways underlie both conditions. Here, we review evidence that amyloid-β (Aβ) forms part of a shared pathway between epilepsy and cognitive decline, particularly in the context of AD. People with epilepsy show an increased burden of Aβ pathology in the brain, and Aβ-mediated epileptogenic alterations have been demonstrated in experimental studies, with evidence suggesting that Aβ pathology might already be pro-epileptogenic at the soluble stage, long before plaque deposition. We discuss the hypothesis that Aβ mediates - or is at least a major determinant of - a continuum spanning epilepsy and cognitive decline. Serial cognitive testing and assessment of Aβ levels might be worthwhile to stratify the risk of developing dementia in people with late-onset epilepsy. If seizures are a clinical harbinger of dementia, people with late-onset epilepsy could be an ideal group in which to implement preventive or therapeutic strategies to slow cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Romoli
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.,Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.,Neurology and Stroke Unit, "Maurizio Bufalini" Hospital, Cesena, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Neurologia e Rete Stroke Metropolitana, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
| | - Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
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17
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Tedrus GMAS, Santos LMD, Meneghetti F. Older adults with epilepsy: memory complaints and objective neuropsychological performance. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2021; 79:133-138. [PMID: 33759980 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with epilepsy frequently complain of poor memory. OBJECTIVE To assess the occurrence of memory complaints in older adults with epilepsy (OAE) and whether it is associated with clinical variables, objective cognitive performance, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) was related to objective cognitive performance, the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31), and the clinical characteristics of 83 OAE. RESULTS OAE showed worse cognitive performance and higher MAC-Q scores when compared to a similar control group (n=40). Impairment in multiple cognitive domains occurred in 34 (41%) OAE and was associated with older age and lower educational level. Memory complaints (MAC-Q≥25) were reported by 45 (54.2%) OAE and associated with older age, lower educational level, onset at ≥60 years, higher NDDI-E scores, lower QOLIE-31 scores, and impairment in multiple cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS OAE presented worse cognitive performance and greater memory complaints. Episode onset at ≥60 years of age was associated with complaints, but not with objective cognitive deficit. We found an association between subjective and objective cognitive performance, with aspects of epilepsy and worse QoL scores.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fernanda Meneghetti
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Faculdade de Medicina, Campinas SP, Brazil
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18
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To illustrate the frequency and trends of the comorbidity of epilepsy and dementia and the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on cognitive functions. RECENT FINDINGS Although the mortality and incidence of epilepsy are decreasing overall, they are increasing in the elderly as a result of population growth and increased life expectancy. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are among the commonest causes of seizures and epilepsy. Epilepsy can be also complicated by cognitive impairment, suggesting a bidirectional association. Although epilepsy with onset in the elderly can be the manifestation of a CNS disease/injury, the cause of cognitive impairment is multifactorial and includes static (genetic background, age at seizure onset, developmental and acquired cerebral lesions) and dynamic factors [recurrent seizures, epileptiform discharges, type and number of AEDs and psychiatric comorbidities]. Most AEDs, with special reference to first-generation drugs, have negative effects on cognitive functions; however, none was found to increase the risk of dementia. SUMMARY A net increase in the burden of epilepsy, dementia and epilepsy-dementia comorbidity is expected. The growing use of second-generation AEDs might help reducing adverse cognitive effects. However, the fairly high cost of these drugs might delay their widespread use in resource-poor countries. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/CONR/A49.
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19
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Wojewodka G, McKinlay A, Ridsdale L. Best care for older people with epilepsy: A scoping review. Seizure 2021; 85:70-89. [PMID: 33450705 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There are two peaks of diagnosis of epilepsy: in childhood and in people over 65. Older people may have complex needs like co-morbidity, polypharmacy, frailty, and social isolation. This scoping review focusses on the care of older people with epilepsy beyond diagnosis and medical treatment. We sought to identify areas within the UK health service needing development either in clinical practice or through further research. The search returned 4864 papers with 33 papers included in the review. The papers were grouped into psychosocial, self-management and services themes. Only one randomised controlled trial was found. Research was mainly based on cohort and case-control studies. Older people require more information to self-manage epilepsy and more psychological support to help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. People reported experiencing stigma and a reluctance to disclose their condition. This may increase the risk of isolation and difficulties in managing epilepsy. Studies reported that older people are referred less to neurologists, suggesting there may be a gap in care provision compared to younger people. Generalist health professionals may be better placed to provide holistic care, but they may need additional training to alleviate uncertainties in managing epilepsy. Care plans could help provide information, particularly for co-morbidity, but few had one. Our findings highlight psychological and self-management needs for managing epilepsy in older people. Health service staff may require upskilling to shift epilepsy management from neurologists to generalists. More research is needed regarding psychological and self-management interventions, particularly in the form of randomised controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Wojewodka
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 16 de Crespigny Park, PO Box 57, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Alison McKinlay
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 16 de Crespigny Park, PO Box 57, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 16 de Crespigny Park, PO Box 57, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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20
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Reyes A, Kaestner E, Edmonds EC, Christina Macari A, Wang ZI, Drane DL, Punia V, Busch RM, Hermann BP, McDonald CR. Diagnosing cognitive disorders in older adults with epilepsy. Epilepsia 2020; 62:460-471. [PMID: 33258159 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the nature and prevalence of cognitive disorders in older adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and compare their cognitive profiles to patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (ie, aMCI). METHODS Seventy-one older patients with TLE, 77 aMCI, and 69 normal aging controls (NACs), all 55-80 years of age, completed neuropsychological measures of memory, language, executive function, and processing speed. An actuarial neuropsychological method designed to diagnose MCI was applied to individual patients to identify older adults with TLE who met diagnostic criteria for MCI (TLE-MCI). A linear classifier was performed to evaluate how well the diagnostic criteria differentiated patients with TLE-MCI from aMCI. In TLE, the contribution of epilepsy-related and vascular risk factors to cognitive impairment was evaluated using multiple regression. RESULTS Forty-three TLE patients (60%) met criteria for TLE-MCI, demonstrating marked deficits in both memory and language. When patients were analyzed according to age at seizure onset, 63% of those with an early onset (<50 years) versus 56% of those with late onset (≥ 50 years) met criteria for TLE-MCI. A classification model between TLE-MCI and aMCI correctly classified 81.1% (90.6% specificity, 61.3% sensitivity) of the cohort based on neuropsychological scores. Whereas TLE-MCI showed greater deficits in language relative to aMCI, patients with aMCI showed greater rapid forgetting on memory measures. Both epilepsy-related risk factors and the presence of leukoaraiosis on MRI contributed to impairment profiles in TLE-MCI. SIGNIFICANCE Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in epilepsy and it presents in a substantial number of older adults with TLE. Although the underlying etiologies are unknown in many patients, the TLE-MCI phenotype may be secondary to an accumulation of epilepsy and vascular risk factors, signal the onset of a neurodegenerative disease, or represent a combination of factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Reyes
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erik Kaestner
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Emily C Edmonds
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Anna Christina Macari
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Zhong Irene Wang
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Daniel L Drane
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Vineet Punia
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Bruce P Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Carrie R McDonald
- Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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21
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Choi H, Thacker EL, Longstreth WT, Elkind MSV, Boehme AK. Cognitive decline in older adults with epilepsy: The Cardiovascular Health Study. Epilepsia 2020; 62:85-97. [PMID: 33227164 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive decline is a major concern for older adults with epilepsy. Whether and how much faster older adults with epilepsy experience cognitive decline beyond expected age-related cognitive change remain unclear. We sought to estimate and compare rates of cognitive decline in older adults with and without epilepsy. METHODS The Cardiovascular Health Study is a population-based longitudinal cohort study of 5888 US adults aged 65+. Cognitive function was assessed annually with Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). We used linear mixed models to estimate average rates of decline in 3MS and DSST scores by epilepsy status (prevalent, incident, or no epilepsy), adjusted for risk factors associated with cognitive decline. RESULTS The rate of decline in 3MS was significantly faster in prevalent epilepsy (P < .001) and after incident epilepsy (P = .002) compared with no epilepsy. Prevalent epilepsy and apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 (ApoE4) had a synergistic interaction, whereby prevalent epilepsy and ApoE4 together were associated with 1.51 points faster annual decline in 3MS than would be expected if prevalent epilepsy and ApoE4 did not interact (P < .001). Older adults with prevalent epilepsy had a significantly lower initial DSST score and faster rate of decline compared to those with no epilepsy (P < .001). SIGNIFICANCE Faster decline in global cognitive ability seen in this study validates concerns of patients. ApoE4 allele status was an effect modifier of the relationship between cognitive decline and prevalent epilepsy. Further research is warranted to explore biological mechanisms and possible interventions to mitigate cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunmi Choi
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan L Thacker
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | | | - Mitchell S V Elkind
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amelia K Boehme
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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22
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Which clinical and neuropsychological factors are responsible for cognitive impairment in patients with epilepsy? Int J Public Health 2020; 65:947-956. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01401-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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23
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Narayanan J, Simon KC, Choi J, Dobrin S, Rubin S, Taber J, Wang C, Pham A, Chesis R, Hadsell B, Epshteyn A, Wilk G, Tideman S, Meyers S, Frigerio R, Maraganore D. Factors Affecting Cognition and Depression in Adult Patients with Epilepsy. J Epilepsy Res 2020; 9:103-110. [PMID: 32509545 PMCID: PMC7251347 DOI: 10.14581/jer.19018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Epilepsy patients are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment compared to individuals in the general population. As the reasons for this are not definitively known, we sought to determine what factors correlate most strongly with cognition and a screening test for depression in epilepsy patients. Methods Our study population included 379 adult patients diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure in our neurology clinic. We collected detailed demographic and clinical data during patient visits using structured clinical documentation support tools that we have built within our commercial electronic medical records system (Epic), including a depression score (Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy, NDDIE) and cognition score test measures (specifically in this study, Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]). Medication, age, gender, body mass index, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, current number of anti-epileptic medications, years of education were assessed in relation to baseline score as well as change in score from initial visit to first annual follow-up. Results Of the analyzed factors, two statistically significant associations were found after correction for multiple testing. Male gender and lower anti-seizure medication count were associated with better mood, as assessed by NDDIE score, at initial visit. Specifically, male gender was associated with a 1.3 decrease in NDDIE and for each additional anti-seizure medication, there was an associated 1.2 increase in NDDIE. Conclusions However, these factors were not associated with change in NDDIE score from initial to first annual follow-up visit. These findings, although interesting, are preliminary. Additionally, these findings were based on a homogenous (mainly Caucasian) clinic-based population and detailed information on previous medication use was lacking. Further work is needed to replicate these findings and to understand any mechanisms that may explain these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaishree Narayanan
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Kelly Claire Simon
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Janet Choi
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Sofia Dobrin
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Susan Rubin
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jesse Taber
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Charles Wang
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Anna Pham
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Richard Chesis
- Health Information Technology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Bryce Hadsell
- Health Information Technology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Epshteyn
- Health Information Technology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Gary Wilk
- Health Information Technology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Samuel Tideman
- Health Information Technology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Steven Meyers
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Roberta Frigerio
- NorthShore Neurological Institute, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
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Abstract
This article reviews common and clinically important neuropsychiatric aspects of epilepsy. Comorbidities are common, underdiagnosed, and powerfully impact clinical outcomes. Biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the associations between epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. Epidemiologic studies point to a bidirectional relationships between epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. People with epilepsy are more likely to develop certain neuropsychiatric disorders, and those with these disorders are more likely to develop epilepsy. This relationship suggests the possibility of shared underlying pathophysiologies. We review the neuropsychiatric impact of antiseizure medications and therapeutic options for treatment. Diagnosis and treatment involve close collaboration among a multidisciplinary team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Tolchin
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Epilepsy Center of Excellence, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Lawrence J Hirsch
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - William Curt LaFrance
- Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Potter 3, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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25
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Samson S, Moncomble C, Méré M, Vasseur R, Dupont S. Getting older with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy: What memory profile? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 176:439-443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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26
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Zhao D, Shridharmurthy D, Alcusky MJ, Yuan Y, Nunes AP, Hume AL, Baek J, Lapane KL. The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Antiepileptic Drug Use in US Nursing Home Residents. Drugs Aging 2020; 37:137-145. [PMID: 31845208 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-019-00732-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly used by nursing home residents, both on- and off-label. The landscape of AED use has changed over the past two decades; however, despite this, contemporaneous research on AED use in US nursing home residents is scant. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of AED use, describe prescribing patterns, identify factors associated with AED use, and assess whether these factors differ among AEDs with expanded indications in older adults (i.e. gabapentin, pregabalin, topiramate, and lamotrigine). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among 549,240 long-stay older residents who enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and lived in 15,111 US nursing homes on 1 September 2016. Demographics and conditions associated with AED indications, epilepsy comorbidities, and safety data came from the Minimum Data Set Version 3.0 (MDS 3.0). Medicare Part D claims were used to identify AED use. Robust Poisson models and multinomial logistic models for clustered data estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR), adjusted odds ratios (aOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Overall, 24.0% used AEDs (gabapentin [13.3%], levetiracetam [4.7%], phenytoin [1.9%], pregabalin [1.8%], and lamotrigine [1.2%]). AED use was associated with epilepsy (aPR 3.73, 95% CI 3.69-3.77), bipolar disorder (aPR 1.20, 95% CI 1.18-1.22), pain (aPRmoderate/severe vs. no pain 1.42, 95% CI 1.40-1.44), diabetes (aPR 1.27, 95% CI 1.26-1.28), anxiety (aPR 1.12, 95% CI 1.11-1.13), depression (aPR 1.17, 95% CI 1.15-1.18), or stroke (aPR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.09). Residents with advancing age (aPR85+ vs. 65-74 years 0.73, 95% CI 0.73-0.74), Alzheimer's disease/dementia (aPR 0.87, 95% CI 0.86-0.88), or cognitive impairment (aPRsevere vs. no impairment 0.62, 95% CI 0.61-0.63) had decreased AED use. Gabapentinoid use was highly associated with pain (aORmoderate/severe vs. no pain 2.07, 95% CI 2.01-2.12) and diabetes (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.76-1.82), but not with an epilepsy indication. CONCLUSIONS AED use was common in nursing homes, with gabapentin most commonly used (presumably for pain). That multiple comorbidities were associated with AED use underscores the need for future studies to investigate the safety and effectiveness of AED use in nursing home residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Zhao
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Divya Shridharmurthy
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Matthew J Alcusky
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Yiyang Yuan
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Anthony P Nunes
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Anne L Hume
- Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Jonggyu Baek
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kate L Lapane
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
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27
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Youness ER, Shady MMA, Abd Elaziz A, Galal E, El-Sonbaty M, El-Sonbaty MM, Masoud MM, Abu Elhamd WA. Association of folic acid, vitamin B12, and intelligence scores in epileptic children. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2020; 11:45-49. [PMID: 32356452 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2020.1747020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a serious childhood disease associated with cognitive impairment. Our aim was to investigate the possible association of serum folic acid, vitamin B12, and intelligence scores in epileptic children. A group of 30 children with established diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy for at least one year as well as another group of 30 nonepileptic healthy children as the control group were recruited for analysis. Cognitive performance was assessed by a battery of psychological tests that covers verbal and nonverbal intelligence. Serum B12 level was significantly lower in patients than the control group (264.17 ± 58.07, 450.55 ± 134.9, respectively). No significant difference was detected between patients and the control group regarding serum folic acid level. Verbal, performance, and total IQ were significantly lower in patients than the control group (83.2 ± 3.08 vs. 95.8 ± 6.22, 78.4 ± 10.68 vs. 91.3 ± 2.45, and 180.6 ± 6.58 vs. 93.5 ± 3.02, respectively). However, no significant correlation was detected in folic acid, vitamin B 12, and cognitive scores. Epileptic children were five times more at risk of having low IQ (verbal, performance, and total) < 85 than the control group (OR = 4.754, 95% CI 13.047-1031.316, p = .000). In conclusion, children with epilepsy might be at higher risk for cognitive dysfunction than normal children. No significant association was detected between cognitive performance and either folic acid or vitamin B12 in epileptic children receiving sodium valproate. Supplementation of those vitamins should be restricted to those with documented deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mones M Abu Shady
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ali Abd Elaziz
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Esam Galal
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Sonbaty
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa M El-Sonbaty
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Masoud
- Medical Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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28
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Epilepsy and aging. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020. [PMID: 31753149 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804766-8.00025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The intersection of epilepsy and aging has broad, significant implications. Substantial increases in seizures occur both in the elderly population, who are at a higher risk of developing new-onset epilepsy, and in those with chronic epilepsy who become aged. There are notable gaps in our understanding of aging and epilepsy at the basic and practical levels, which have important consequences. We are in the early stages of understanding the complex relationships between epilepsy and other age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cancer. Furthermore, the clinician must recognize that the presentation and treatment of epilepsy in the elderly are different from those of younger populations. Given the developing awareness of the problem and the capabilities of contemporary, multidisciplinary approaches to advance understanding about the biology of aging and epilepsy, it is reasonable to expect that we will unravel some of the intricacies of epilepsy in the elderly; it is also reasonable to expect that these gains will lead to further improvements in our understanding and treatment of epilepsy for all age groups.
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29
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Nardi Cesarini E, Babiloni C, Salvadori N, Farotti L, Del Percio C, Pascarelli MT, Noce G, Lizio R, Da Re F, Isella V, Tremolizzo L, Romoli M, DiFrancesco JC, Parnetti L, Costa C. Late-Onset Epilepsy With Unknown Etiology: A Pilot Study on Neuropsychological Profile, Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers, and Quantitative EEG Characteristics. Front Neurol 2020; 11:199. [PMID: 32351438 PMCID: PMC7174783 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the fact that epilepsy has been associated with cognitive decline, neuropsychological, neurobiological, and neurophysiological features in patients with late-onset epilepsy of unknown etiology (LOEU) are still unknown. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the neuropsychological profile, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and resting-state quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) cortical rhythms in LOEU patients with mild cognitive impairment (LOEU-MCI) and with normal cognition (LOEU-CN), compared to non-epileptic MCI (NE-MCI) and cognitively normal (CN) controls. Methods: Consecutive patients in two clinical Units diagnosed with LOEU-CN (19), LOEU-MCI (27), and NE-MCI (21) were enrolled, and compared to age and sex-matched cognitively normal subjects CN (11). Patients underwent standardized comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and CSF core AD biomarkers assessment (i.e., CSF Aβ42, phospho-tau and total tau, classified through A/T/(N) system). Recordings of resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms were collected and cortical source estimation of delta (<4 Hz) to gamma (>30 Hz) bands with exact Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) was performed. Results: Most LOEU patients had an MCI status at seizure onset (59%). Patients with LOEU-MCI performed significantly worse on measures of global cognition, visuo-spatial abilities, and executive functions compared to NE-MCI patients (p < 0.05). Regarding MCI subtypes, multiple-domain MCI was 3-fold more frequent in LOEU-MCI than in NE-MCI patients (OR 3.14, 95%CI 0.93-10.58, p = 0.06). CSF Aβ42 levels were lower in the LOEU-MCI compared with the LOEU-CN group. Finally, parietal and occipital sources of alpha (8-12 Hz) rhythms were less active in the LOEU-MCI than in the NE-MCI and CN groups, while the opposite was true for frontal and temporal cortical delta sources. Discussion: MCI status was relatively frequent in LOEU patients, involved multiple cognitive domains, and might have been driven by amyloidosis according to CSF biomarkers. LOEU-MCI status was associated with abnormalities in cortical sources of EEG rhythms related to quiet vigilance. Future longitudinal studies should cross-validate our findings and test the predictive value of CSF and EEG variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Nardi Cesarini
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer," Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Hospital San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - Nicola Salvadori
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Farotti
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer," Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fulvio Da Re
- Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Valeria Isella
- Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lucio Tremolizzo
- Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Michele Romoli
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Rimini "Infermi" Hospital-AUSL Romagna, Rimini, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia-S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
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30
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Sen A, Jette N, Husain M, Sander JW. Epilepsy in older people. Lancet 2020; 395:735-748. [PMID: 32113502 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)33064-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Globally, as populations age there will be challenges and opportunities to deliver optimal health care to senior citizens. Epilepsy, a condition characterised by spontaneous recurrent seizures, is common in older adults (aged >65 years) and yet has received comparatively little attention in this age group. In this Review, we evaluate the underlying causes of epilepsy in older people, explore difficulties in establishing a diagnosis of epilepsy in this population, discuss appropriate antiseizure medications, and evaluate potential surgical treatment options. We consider cognitive, psychological, and psychosocial comorbidities and the effect that epilepsy might have on an older person's broader social or care network in high-income versus middle-income and low-income countries. We emphasise the need for clinical trials to be more inclusive of older people with epilepsy to help inform therapeutic decision making and discuss whether measures to improve vascular risk factors might be an important strategy to reduce the probability of developing epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Departments of Neurology and Population Health Sciences & Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masud Husain
- Department of Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford UK
| | - Josemir W Sander
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Netherlands
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31
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Zhou X, Tao H, Cai Y, Cui L, Zhao B, Li K. Stage-dependent involvement of ADAM10 and its significance in epileptic seizures. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:4494-4504. [PMID: 31087543 PMCID: PMC6584734 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of epileptic seizures in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has attracted an increasing amount of attention in recent years, and many cohort studies have found several risk factors associated with the genesis of seizures in AD. Among these factors, young age and severe dementia are seemingly contradictory and independent risk factors, indicating that the pathogenesis of epileptic seizures is, to a certain extent, stage‐dependent. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain‐containing protein 10 (ADAM10) is a crucial α‐secretase responsible for ectodomain shedding of its substrates; thus, the function of this protein depends on the biological effects of its substrates. Intriguingly, transgenic models have demonstrated ADAM10 to be associated with epilepsy. Based on the biological effects of its substrates, the potential pathogenic roles of ADAM10 in epileptic seizures can be classified into amyloidogenic processes in the ageing stage and cortical dysplasia in the developmental stage. Therefore, ADAM10 is reviewed here as a stage‐dependent modulator in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Current data regarding ADAM10 in epileptic seizures were collected and reviewed for potential pathogenic roles (ie amyloidogenic processes and cortical dysplasia) and regulatory mechanisms (ie transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation). These findings are then discussed in terms of the significance of the stage‐dependent functions of ADAM10 in epilepsy. Several potential targets for seizure control, such as candidate transcription factors and microRNAs that regulate ADAM10, as well as potential genetic screening tools for the early recognition of cortical dysplasia, have been suggested but must be studied in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hua Tao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yujie Cai
- Institute of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lili Cui
- Institute of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Institute of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Keshen Li
- Institute of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Stroke Center, Neurology & Neurosurgery Division, Clinical Medicine Research Institute & the First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Arinzechi EO, Ogunrin OA, Nwosu CM, Nwani PO, Enwereji KO, Asomugha LA, Dimkpa U. Seizure frequency and risk of cognitive impairment in people living with epilepsy in a sub-urban community in South Eastern Nigeria. J Clin Neurosci 2018; 59:98-105. [PMID: 30446372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.10.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study is aimed at assessing the impact of seizure frequency on the cognitive performance of epileptic adult patients in a rural community in South Eastern Nigeria. A total of 51 patients with epilepsy (33 males and 18 females) with a mean age of 30.7 ± 12.1 years and 51 age and sex matched controls participated in this study. The cognitive performances of the people with epilepsy and controls were assessed using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) and the computerized cognitive assessment test battery, the FePsy. The control group performed better in almost all the neurocognitive tests compared with the low seizure frequency (LSF) and high seizure frequency (HSF) groups. Analysis of covariance revealed that patients with LSF performed better (p = 0.04) in visual reaction time - dominant hand (VRT-D) compared with the HSF group. There was lack of significant differences in mean total CSID scores and mean sub-total scores for language, memory, orientation, attention, constructional praxis, auditory reaction time-dominant hand and non-dominant hand, VRT - non-dominant hand and figure recognition. HSF patients indicated significantly greater prevalence (80% vs. 20%; p = 0.020) and risk (OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 1.8-33.8)) of memory impairment, but not in the other neurocognitive domains compared with the LSF group. In conclusion, the present study indicated that adults with epilepsy performed poorly in a wide range of neurocognitive variables compared with the controls. However, no significant adverse effects of high seizure frequency were observed on almost all the neurocognitive variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene O Arinzechi
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Olubunmi A Ogunrin
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Cosmas M Nwosu
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Paul O Nwani
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Kelechi O Enwereji
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Lasbrey A Asomugha
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Uchechukwu Dimkpa
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
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33
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Abstract
Cognitive impairment and personality disorders are severe comorbidities commonly observed in patients with epilepsy, and together they decrease the quality of patients' life. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive function and personality traits in patients with epilepsy with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Chinese revised and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and investigate the underlying influencing factors. Compared with the control group, our results showed that patients with epilepsy were presented with significant cognitive impairment and particular personality traits. Epileptic seizure-related factors including earlier age of onset, longer duration of epileptic history, and higher seizure frequency were significantly associated with the observed defects in cognition and personality traits. In addition, the temporal lobe was more likely to affect cognition and personality, and the left hemisphere was closely related to verbal intelligence quotient, which needs to be the focus of future research. These results will be instrumental for guiding the treatment of epilepsy.
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34
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Semple BD, Zamani A, Rayner G, Shultz SR, Jones NC. Affective, neurocognitive and psychosocial disorders associated with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 123:27-41. [PMID: 30059725 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) often develop chronic neurological, neurocognitive, psychological, and psychosocial deficits that can have a profound impact on an individual's wellbeing and quality of life. TBI is also a common cause of acquired epilepsy, which is itself associated with significant behavioral morbidity. This review considers the clinical and preclinical evidence that post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) acts as a 'second-hit' insult to worsen chronic behavioral outcomes for brain-injured patients, across the domains of emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Surprisingly, few well-designed studies have specifically examined the relationship between seizures and behavioral outcomes after TBI. The complex mechanisms underlying these comorbidities remain incompletely understood, although many of the biological processes that precipitate seizure occurrence and epileptogenesis may also contribute to the development of chronic behavioral deficits. Further, the relationship between PTE and behavioral dysfunction is increasingly recognized to be a bidirectional one, whereby premorbid conditions are a risk factor for PTE. Clinical studies in this arena are often challenged by the confounding effects of anti-seizure medications, while preclinical studies have rarely examined an adequately extended time course to fully capture the time course of epilepsy development after a TBI. To drive the field forward towards improved treatment strategies, it is imperative that both seizures and neurobehavioral outcomes are assessed in parallel after TBI, both in patient populations and preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Akram Zamani
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Genevieve Rayner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre (Austin Campus), Heidelberg, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Alfred Health, Australia.
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nigel C Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Sen A, Capelli V, Husain M. Cognition and dementia in older patients with epilepsy. Brain 2018; 141:1592-1608. [PMID: 29506031 PMCID: PMC5972564 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With advances in healthcare and an ageing population, the number of older adults with epilepsy is set to rise substantially across the world. In developed countries the highest incidence of epilepsy is already in people over 65 and, as life expectancy increases, individuals who developed epilepsy at a young age are also living longer. Recent findings show that older persons with epilepsy are more likely to suffer from cognitive dysfunction and that there might be an important bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and dementia. Thus some people with epilepsy may be at a higher risk of developing dementia, while individuals with some forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, are at significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy. Consistent with this emerging view, epidemiological findings reveal that people with epilepsy and individuals with Alzheimer's disease share common risk factors. Recent studies in Alzheimer's disease and late-onset epilepsy also suggest common pathological links mediated by underlying vascular changes and/or tau pathology. Meanwhile electrophysiological and neuroimaging investigations in epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia have focused interest on network level dysfunction, which might be important in mediating cognitive dysfunction across all three of these conditions. In this review we consider whether seizures promote dementia, whether dementia causes seizures, or if common underlying pathophysiological mechanisms cause both. We examine the evidence that cognitive impairment is associated with epilepsy in older people (aged over 65) and the prognosis for patients with epilepsy developing dementia, with a specific emphasis on common mechanisms that might underlie the cognitive deficits observed in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Our analyses suggest that there is considerable intersection between epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease raising the possibility that better understanding of shared mechanisms in these conditions might help to ameliorate not just seizures, but also epileptogenesis and cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Valentina Capelli
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Masud Husain
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK
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Liguori C, Izzi F, Manfredi N, Mercuri NB, Placidi F. Lacosamide may improve cognition in patients with focal epilepsy: EpiTrack to compare cognitive side effects of lacosamide and carbamazepine. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR CASE REPORTS 2018; 10:35-37. [PMID: 29977793 PMCID: PMC6030027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebcr.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a first generation anti-seizure drug, considered as first choice therapy in focal epilepsy but associated with cognitive side effects. Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-seizure drug approved for treating focal epilepsy. This case series documented the comparable efficacy of LCM and CBZ as first add on treatments in patients affected by uncontrolled focal seizures. LCM showed an increase in EpiTrack scores, which measure cognitive abilities, at follow-up compared to CBZ. This preliminary data may represent the basis for future prospective studies aimed at comparing the long-term cognitive side effects of LCM and CBZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Liguori
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Izzi
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Manfredi
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Placidi
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
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Growing older with drug-resistant epilepsy: cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. J Neurol 2018; 265:1059-1064. [PMID: 29478222 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the cognitive and psychosocial outcomes of patients older than 50 with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy as compared to a younger cohort. One hundred and thirty-one patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (47% age ≥ 50) who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing were retrospectively identified. A comparison of percentage of Z scores < - 1.5 between the older and younger cohort on Trail Making Tests A and B, Boston Naming Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) delayed recall, and Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test delayed recall was performed as well as the presence of disability due to epilepsy and depression scores. Grading of white matter hyperintensities on MRI was also performed. Older patients with epilepsy were more likely to score Z < - 1.5 on the RAVLT (54.1 vs 32.8%) and were more likely to be on disability due to their seizures (23.0 vs 5.7%). A higher grade of white matter hyperintensities correlated with worse performance on Trail Making Test A, while a higher number of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) correlated with worse performance on Trail Making Test B regardless of age. The results of this study reveal that older patients with drug-resistant epilepsy are a vulnerable population with an impaired cognitive profile. In addition, limiting the number of AEDs and addressing markers of small vessel disease should also be prioritized by clinicians.
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Measurement of side effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review. Seizure 2017; 51:61-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Schipper S, Aalbers MW, Rijkers K, Lagiere M, Bogaarts JG, Blokland A, Klinkenberg S, Hoogland G, Vles JSH. Accelerated cognitive decline in a rodent model for temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 65:33-41. [PMID: 27865173 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive impairment is frequently observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. It is hypothesized that cumulative seizure exposure causes accelerated cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy. We investigated the influence of seizure frequency on cognitive decline in a rodent model for temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS Neurobehavioral assessment was performed before and after surgery, after the induction of self-sustaining limbic status epilepticus (SSLSE), and in the chronic phase in which rats experienced recurrent seizures. Furthermore, we assessed potential confounders of memory performance. RESULTS Rats showed a deficit in spatial working memory after the induction of the SSLSE, which endured in the chronic phase. A progressive decline in recognition memory developed in SSLSE rats. Confounding factors were absent. Seizure frequency and also the severity of the status epilepticus were not correlated with the severity of cognitive deficits. SIGNIFICANCE The effect of the seizure frequency on cognitive comorbidity in epilepsy has long been debated, possibly because of confounders such as antiepileptic medication and the heterogeneity of epileptic etiologies. In an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy, we showed that a decrease in spatial working memory does not relate to the seizure frequency. This suggests for other mechanisms are responsible for memory decline and potentially a common pathophysiology of cognitive deterioration and the occurrence and development of epileptic seizures. Identifying this common denominator will allow development of more targeted interventions treating cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy. The treatment of interictal symptoms will increase the quality of life of many patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schipper
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Marlien W Aalbers
- Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurosurgery, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Rijkers
- Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie Lagiere
- Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan G Bogaarts
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Klinkenberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Govert Hoogland
- Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan S H Vles
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Medicine & Life Sciences, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Miller LA, Galioto R, Tremont G, Davis J, Bryant K, Roth J, LaFrance WC, Blum AS. Cognitive impairment in older adults with epilepsy: Characterization and risk factor analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 56:113-7. [PMID: 26859320 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive deficits are common in epilepsy, though the impact of epilepsy on cognition in older adults is understudied. This study aimed to characterize cognition in older adults with epilepsy compared with healthy older adults and identify potential risk factors for impairment. METHODS Thirty-eight older adults with epilepsy and 29 healthy controls completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, as well as measures of depression and anxiety. Chart review for current medications, seizure history, and neuroimaging was also completed. To compare cognitive performance between groups, ANOVA was used, and linear regression identified predictors of impairment among the group with epilepsy. RESULTS Patients with epilepsy performed worse across nearly all cognitive domains, and were clinically impaired (i.e., ≥ 1.5 SD below mean) on more individual tests when compared with controls, including a subset of patients with epilepsy with normal MRIs. For all patients with epilepsy, taking a greater number of antiepileptic drugs was associated with poorer language and visuospatial abilities, and higher anxiety was associated with poorer visual memory. CONCLUSIONS Older adults with epilepsy demonstrated greater cognitive deficits than matched controls. Polytherapy and anxiety heightened the risk for cognitive impairment in some cognitive domains, but not in others. Understanding the nature of cognitive decline in this population, as well as associated risk factors, may assist in the differential diagnosis of cognitive complaints and improve the design of treatment studies for older patients with epilepsy. Replication in larger, longitudinal studies is warranted to generalize these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Miller
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rachel Galioto
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Julie Roth
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - W Curt LaFrance
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Andrew S Blum
- Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, USA.
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Witt JA, Elger CE, Helmstaedter C. Adverse cognitive effects of antiepileptic pharmacotherapy: Each additional drug matters. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1954-9. [PMID: 26296280 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The study was set up to evaluate the impact of the total drug load of antiepileptic pharmacotherapy on cognition. Retrospective analyses were based on 834 patients with epilepsy who underwent a brief routine assessment of executive function and verbal memory (EpiTrack Plus) at our department. The total drug load was quantified in two ways: (1) number of concurrent antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and (2) total drug load according to the defined daily dose (DDD) provided by the World Health Organization. The cognitive measures showed higher inverse correlations with the number of AEDs (executive function: r=-0.35, p<0.001; memory: r=-0.22, p<0.001) than with the total DDD (executive function: r=-0.27, p<0.001; memory: r=-0.17, p<0.001). Reanalysis with statistical control for disease severity hardly changed the aforementioned results. With each additional drug in polytherapy, we observed a significantly lower performance in executive function. In this regard an additional explorative approach revealed that regimens combining AEDs with favorable cognitive profiles were associated with higher cognitive performance. Correlations between indicators of disease severity and drug load indices were low: altogether explaining only up to 9% of the observed variance in drug load. The findings demonstrate a considerable adverse effect of a higher drug load on cognition, especially on executive functions. Simply counting the number of drugs may be sufficient as a rough estimate of the risk of side effects. However, the combination of AEDs with favorable cognitive profiles may attenuate the negative effect of the total drug load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juri-Alexander Witt
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Christian E Elger
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Helmstaedter
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
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Galioto R, Blum AS, Tremont G. Subjective cognitive complaints versus objective neuropsychological performance in older adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 51:48-52. [PMID: 26255885 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Memory complaints are common among older adults with epilepsy (OAE), though discrepancy between subjective complaints and objective performance often exists. This study examined how accurately OAE and their informants reported on the participant's cognitive difficulties by comparing ratings of everyday cognition to objective performance. Thirty-seven OAE and 27 older adult controls completed a brief battery of neuropsychological tests, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS). Each participant had an informant who completed the CDS. Older adults with epilepsy performed worse than controls on cognitive testing and reported more subjective cognitive complaints. Neither participant- nor informant-reported cognitive complaints were related to performance on any of the neuropsychological tests for either the group with epilepsy or control group, but both were related to greater depressive symptoms. Results suggest that subjective report of cognitive problems by both OAE and their informants may not reliably reflect the extent to which these problems exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Galioto
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
| | | | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Galioto R, Thamilavel S, Blum AS, Tremont G. Awareness of cognitive deficits in older adults with epilepsy and mild cognitive impairment. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2015; 37:785-93. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2015.1053844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Toure, Coume, Ndiaye, Zunzunegui, Bacher, Diop, Ndiaye. Risk factors for dementia in a senegalese elderly population aged 65 years and over. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2012; 2:160-8. [PMID: 22590476 PMCID: PMC3347874 DOI: 10.1159/000332022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the aging of the population, dementia is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for dementia in an elderly population utilizing a primary health care service in Dakar, Senegal. Methods Through a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2004 to December 31, 2005, 507 elderly patients aged ≥65 years who came to the Social and Medical Center of IPRES, Dakar, Senegal, were first screened with the screening interview questionnaire ‘Aging in Senegal’. Those who were cognitively impaired underwent a clinical examination to detect dementia. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. Results The whole population had a mean age of 72.4 years (±5.2) and was mostly male, married, and non-educated. Hypertension, arthritis, and gastrointestinal diseases were the main health conditions reported in the past medical history. Smoking was important while alcohol consumption was rare. Social network was high. Forty-five patients (8.87%) had dementia. In the multivariate model, only advanced age, education, epilepsy, and family history of dementia were independently associated with dementia. Conclusion The risk factors identified are also found in developed countries confirming their role in dementia. It is important to take dementia into consideration in Senegal and to sensitize the community for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toure
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Qué., Canada
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Roberson ED, Hope OA, Martin RC, Schmidt D. Geriatric epilepsy: research and clinical directions for the future. Epilepsy Behav 2011; 22:103-11. [PMID: 21596624 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing awareness of the need for improved treatment and care of older adults with epilepsy. The present review article highlights key clinical and research issues in the emerging field of geriatric epilepsy. Drs. Martin and Schmidt explore the scope of the problems in the field, outline topic areas including cognitive health/dementia, and diagnostic challenges, and also present important research questions that should be considered for the future. As part of this presentation, we will highlight the work of two promising young investigators whose work holds great promise for the field of geriatric epilepsy. Dr. Roberson will discuss his work focusing on the relationship of epilepsy and cognitive impairment, particularly as it relates to Alzheimer's disease pathology including tau and its role in epileptiform activity. Dr. Hope will outline key issues, as well as her work, relating to defining and measuring quality care in geriatric epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Roberson
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Abstract
It is well known that neuropsychological impairment can be associated with chronic epilepsy. This review suggests that a broad lifespan perspective of cognition in epilepsy should include consideration of: a) neurobiological factors that antedate the first seizure and influence cognition, b) epilepsy-related factors that influence brain growth and cognitive development after epilepsy is diagnosed and treated, c) clinical epilepsy and other risk factors associated with poor cognitive prognosis in the context of chronic pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and d) the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that influence cognitive aging in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University ofWisconsin School ofMedicine and PublicHealth, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Abstract
Individuals over 65 years of age experience the new onset of seizures at a prevalence rate of roughly twice that of younger adults. Differences in physiology, need of concomitant medications, and liability for cognitive deficits in this population, make the choice of anticonvulsant drugs especially important. This paper reviews topiramate (TPM), a treatment for many types of seizures, with the above risks in mind. In particular, we discuss efficacy and pharmacokinetics with emphasis on the older patient, and adverse events in both the younger and older adult. With most studies of TPM-induced cognitive deficits having been performed in younger adults and volunteers, we discuss the implications for the older adult. Even in studies of younger individuals, up to 50% discontinue TPM because of intolerable cognitive deficits. Most studies find specific declines in working memory and verbal fluency. In conclusion, we give recommendations for use of this antiepileptic drug in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5723, USA.
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Abstract
Individuals with epilepsy are at increased risk of having psychotic symptoms that resemble those of schizophrenia. More controversial and less searched is if schizophrenia is a risk factor for epilepsy. Here we review overlapping epidemiological, clinical, neuropathological and neuroimaging features of these two diseases. We discuss the role of temporal and other brain areas in the development of schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy. We underline the importance of ventricular enlargement in both conditions as a phenotypic manifestation of a shared biologic liability that might relate to abnormalities in neurodevelopment. We suggest that genes implicated in neurodevelopment may play a common role in both conditions and speculate that recently identified causative genes for partial complex seizures with auditory features might help explain the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. These particularly include the leucine-rich glioma inactivated (LGI) family gene loci overlap with genes of interest for psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia. Finally, we conclude that LGI genes associated with partial epilepsy with auditory features might also represent genes of interest for schizophrenia, especially among patients with prominent auditory hallucinations and formal thought disorder.
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Haut SR, Katz M, Masur J, Lipton RB. Seizures in the elderly: impact on mental status, mood, and sleep. Epilepsy Behav 2009; 14:540-4. [PMID: 19189862 PMCID: PMC2695969 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2008] [Revised: 01/02/2009] [Accepted: 01/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Comorbidities of epilepsy have not been well explored in the elderly. Herein, we examined mental status, mood, and sleep in elderly patients with epilepsy, compared with age- and gender-matched community controls without epilepsy from the Einstein Aging Study. Testing included a mental status test, the Blessed Information Memory and Concentration (BIMC) test; Prime-MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) Depression and Anxiety Modules; and Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale. Persons with epilepsy (n=31) had higher mean BIMC scores than controls (n=31, BIMC 6.3 vs.1.2, P<0.0001). Mean PHQ Depression scores were higher for cases than controls, indicating more depressive symptoms (4.2 vs 0.8, P=0.006); six cases (18%) and no controls met screening criteria for depression. Mean PHQ Anxiety scores were also higher for cases than controls (3.7 vs 0.0, P=0.001). Cases had poorer sleep scores in the categories of somnolence (P=0.009) and shortness of breath/headache (P=0.021). Thus, comorbidities of epilepsy in this elderly population included decreased mental status, a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety, and poorer sleep health when compared with agemates without epilepsy. Mental status impairment was not related to antiepileptic medication or mood disturbance. Further investigation will explore these associations prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl R. Haut
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York, Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York
| | - Mindy Katz
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York
| | - Jonathan Masur
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York, Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York
| | - Richard B. Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York
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Ferlazzo E, Gagliano A, Calarese T, Magaudda A, Striano P, Cortese L, Cedro C, Laguitton V, Bramanti P, Carbonaro M, Albachiara A, Fragassi N, Italiano D, Sessa E, Coppola A, Genton P. Neuropsychological findings in patients with Unverricht-Lundborg disease. Epilepsy Behav 2009; 14:545-9. [PMID: 19185615 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to clarify if patients with Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) have adequate cognitive functioning and to delineate their neuropsychological profile. We evaluated 20 patients with ULD and 20 healthy, matched controls. Mean age of the patients was 35 years, and mean duration of disease, 22 years. Patients underwent a neuropsychological battery exploring intelligence, executive functions, visuospatial and verbal memory, depression, and anxiety. Eleven of 20 subjects with ULD had mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Compared with controls, patients with ULD had lower scores on all short-term memory and executive function tasks. Linear regression analysis disclosed significant associations between impaired performance on some memory tests and duration of disease and between severity of myoclonus and performance on most executive function tests. In conclusion, most patients with ULD seem to be impaired with respect to cognitive abilities. Longitudinal prospective studies are needed to confirm and further expand our findings.
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