[Epilepsy and dementia. An atavistic association]

We carried out a brief historical review as to the meaning of the association between epilepsy and dementia and of 'epileptic dementia'. We also reviewed the literature published in the last decade on this theme, analyzing whether chronic recurrence of epileptic fits brings about cognitive deterioration. We concluded by affirming that 'epileptic dementia' was a mixed bag containing numerous diseases and syndromes with symptoms of both. Only exceptionally could epileptic fits bring on cognitive deterioration and this usually only slight. A great many factors and not just recurrent epileptic fits determine cognitive prognosis in epileptics.