Epilepsy in the elderly

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

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

Published on: September 20, 2024

S L Lannon1

  • 1University of Cincinnati Hospital, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Ohio 45267-0518.

The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

New-onset epilepsy is most common in adults over 65. Risk factors and diagnostic challenges in this population require specialized nursing care and psychosocial support for effective epilepsy management.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Nursing Science

Background:

  • The highest incidence of new-onset epilepsy, excluding young children, occurs in individuals aged 65 and older.
  • This demographic faces unique risk factors including stroke, head trauma, dementia, infections, alcoholism, and the aging process itself.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of neuroscience nurses in managing epilepsy in the elderly.
  • To address diagnostic challenges and treatment considerations specific to older adults with epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epilepsy incidence, risk factors, and management in the geriatric population.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation nuances and pharmacological considerations in elderly patients.
  • Emphasis on nursing interventions for patient identification, seizure monitoring, and adverse event management.

Main Results:

  • Seizure behavior in older adults can be misdiagnosed as other neurological impairments, leading to delayed diagnosis.
  • Polypharmacy in this age group complicates the selection of appropriate antiepileptic drugs.
  • Elderly patients require modified seizure first aid and comprehensive psychosocial support.

Conclusions:

  • Neuroscience nurses are essential in identifying high-risk elderly patients, accurately documenting seizure activity, and managing adverse drug reactions.
  • Adapting nursing care, including seizure first aid and patient education, is crucial for the frail elderly population.
  • Understanding the psychosocial impact of epilepsy is vital for providing effective support to elderly patients and their families.

More Related Videos

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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: Types01:22

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: Classification01:13

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: Introduction01:20

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 Patients01:15

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 Activators01:20

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...