Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Older adults with epilepsy demonstrate cognitive impairments compared with patients with amnestic mild cognitive
H Randall Griffith1, Roy C Martin, Jennifer K Bambara
1Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. rlgriffith@uabmc.edu
Abstract:
Little is known about the cognitive effects of chronic epilepsy in older adults. To better characterize cognitive impairment in seniors with epilepsy, we compared cognitive performance of 26 seniors with epilepsy with that of 26 well-matched patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 26 well-matched healthy older adults. Participants completed neuropsychological testing with the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), Logical Memory, and CFL Word Fluency. There were no significant demographic group differences, although seniors with epilepsy had higher self-reported depression. Seniors with epilepsy performed below controls on virtually all neuropsychological tests, and performed below patients with MCI on DRS Total score, Initiation/Perseveration, and CFL Fluency. Seniors with epilepsy on antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy had the most severe cognitive deficits, whereas seniors with epilepsy on AED monotherapy were comparable to cholinesterase inhibitor-naïve patients with MCI. This study emphasizes the clinical importance of cognitive impairment in seniors with epilepsy and highlights the need for future studies addressing causes and treatment of cognitive impairment.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Dementia l: Introduction
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

