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Prevalence and Causes of Seizures at the Time of Diagnosis of Probable Alzheimer’s Disease

2006; Karger Publishers; Volume: 22; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1159/000093664

1421-9824

Dora A. Lozsádi, A. J. Larner,

Alzheimer's disease research and treatments

<i>Background/Aims:</i> To investigate the frequency of epilepsy at the time of diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). <i>Methods:</i> Observational study, Cognitive Function Clinic population, over a 6-year period (2000–2005 inclusive). <i>Results:</i> In a cohort of 177 patients with newly diagnosed clinically probable AD, 12 (6.8%) had a history of seizure disorder and/or were using anti-epileptic medications at the time of diagnosis. In 6 of these cases (3.4%), seizure onset was approximately concurrent with the onset of cognitive decline, and no symptomatic or provoking factor for seizures other than AD was identified. <i>Conclusion:</i> Although epileptic seizures are more common later in the course of AD, nonetheless they may accompany the onset of, and be symptomatic of, the disease, perhaps reflecting a shared pathogenesis.