Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
11:01
Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
13.9K
Diagnosing cognitive disorders in older adults with epilepsy
Anny Reyes1,2,3, Erik Kaestner1,3, Emily C Edmonds3,4
1Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Epilepsia
|December 1, 2020
Summary
Cognitive impairment is common in older adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Many TLE patients exhibit mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with memory and language deficits, influenced by epilepsy and vascular factors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Cognitive disorders are prevalent in older adults, with epilepsy and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) being significant concerns.
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) share overlapping symptoms, necessitating clear differentiation in older populations.
- Understanding the specific cognitive profiles in TLE is crucial for diagnosis and management in aging individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the prevalence and nature of cognitive disorders in older adults diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
- To compare the cognitive profiles of older adults with TLE to those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).
- To identify factors contributing to cognitive impairment in TLE patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 71 older adults with TLE, 77 with aMCI, and 69 normal aging controls (NACs), aged 55-80, underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing.
- An actuarial method diagnosed MCI in TLE patients (TLE-MCI), and a linear classifier distinguished TLE-MCI from aMCI.
- Multiple regression analyzed the impact of epilepsy-related and vascular risk factors on cognitive impairment in TLE.
Main Results:
- 60% of older TLE patients met criteria for TLE-MCI, showing significant memory and language deficits.
- A classification model accurately differentiated TLE-MCI from aMCI (81.1% accuracy), with TLE-MCI exhibiting more language deficits and aMCI more memory forgetting.
- Epilepsy-related factors and leukoaraiosis on MRI were associated with cognitive impairment in TLE-MCI.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment, particularly TLE-MCI, is a common comorbidity in older adults with TLE.
- The TLE-MCI phenotype may result from accumulated epilepsy and vascular factors, potentially indicating neurodegeneration.
- Neuropsychological assessment is vital for differentiating cognitive profiles in TLE and aMCI in older adults.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
565
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
565
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
917
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...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
917
01:13Seizures: Classification
1.1K
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 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:
1.1K
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
1.2K
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
1.2K
01:30Dementia
379
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
379
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
372
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
372