Differences in brain changes between adults with childhood-onset epilepsy and controls: A prospective...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Aging Research

Background:

• Childhood-onset epilepsy (COE) is a chronic neurological condition.
• Long-term effects of COE on brain aging are not fully understood.
• Prospective studies are crucial for understanding disease progression and aging impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term impact of childhood-onset uncomplicated epilepsy (COE) on brain aging.
• To compare brain aging markers in individuals with COE versus healthy controls over a 50-year period.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study involving 41 aging subjects with COE and 46 matched controls.
• In-person prospective assessments conducted in 2012 and 2017.
• Characterization of ongoing changes in the aging brain using clinical and neuroimaging assessments.

Main Results:

• Neurologic signs, particularly cerebellar signs, were more prevalent in COE participants not in remission and in focal epilepsies.
• MRI-identified white matter abnormalities correlated with lower educational attainment.
• MRI-detected hippocampal atrophy was associated with hypertension in COE subjects.
• Both COE participants and controls showed an increase in neurologic signs between 2012 and 2017.

Conclusions:

• Ultra-long-term follow-up suggests accelerated brain aging in COE participants with active epilepsy.
• Focal epilepsy appears to be associated with more pronounced brain aging tendencies.
• Clinical and neuroimaging findings indicate a potential long-term impact of COE on brain health.