[Aging and convulsions: possibility of primary epilepsy beginning in old age]

The authors have carried out a retrospective study of 63 patients with epileptic seizures occurring after 60 years of age. Possible aetiological factors, the semiology and frequency of seizures and existing correlations, including instrumental ones, have been studied. The necessity of methods capable of more detailed structural evaluations and functional measurements has emerged. These will reduce the incidence of those types of epilepsy which at present do not seem to result from lesions. The possibility of senile epilepsy due to changes typical of this period and occurring mainly in the 60 to 70 age group, seems, however, worthy of consideration.