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Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

Epilepsy ll: Types

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.

Seizures: Classification

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:

Seizures l: Introduction

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Epilepsy in the elderly.

Konrad J Werhahn¹

¹Neurologische Klinik, Mainzer Epilepsie Zentrum, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. werhahn@uni-mainz.de

Deutsches Arzteblatt International

|July 2, 2009

Summary

Epilepsy in the elderly is challenging to diagnose and treat due to atypical symptoms and complex drug interactions. However, seizures in older adults may respond better to medication than in younger individuals.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Geriatrics

Background:

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disease in the elderly.
Increasing prevalence of epilepsy is expected due to demographic shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of epilepsy in the elderly.
To highlight diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in this population.

Main Methods:

A selective literature search was conducted.
102 relevant publications were identified, including 50 original articles.

Main Results:

Evidence level for epilepsy in the elderly is low, with limited high-quality trials.
Diagnosis is complicated by subtle seizure presentations and differential diagnoses.

Keywords:

diagnostic testing epilepsy geriatrics misdiagnosis neurological diagnosis

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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Treatment requires caution due to comorbidities, polypharmacy, and potential drug interactions.

Epileptic seizures in the elderly appear more manageable with medication compared to younger adults.

Conclusions:

Epilepsy recognition and management in older adults are complex.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial, necessitating careful consideration of side effects and drug interactions.
Newer-generation antiepileptic drugs may be beneficial for treating epilepsy in the elderly.