Neurodegeneration and Epileptic Seizure: Earlier Than We Think

Abstract

Objective:The purpose of this study is to compare demographical and cognitive features of patients who have neurodegenerative diseases with or without seizures.Methods:This descriptive retrospective study included a total of 16 348 participants, 479 with seizures and 15 869 without seizures. Independent samples t-test and chi-square tests were used to compare age, education, Mini Mental State Examination, and gender of groups.Results:There was a significant difference between patients with seizures and without seizures in age [t(3764) = 2.815, P = .005]. It is found that patients with seizures (M = 67.51, standard deviation = 9.69) were significantly younger than patients without seizures (M = 70.37, standard deviation = 9.51).Conclusion:In all neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease, at an early age and regardless of cognitive status, diagnosis of seizures at the first admission and subsequent follow-ups is of great importance in terms of the patient’s quality of life, prognosis of the disease, and treatment options.

Keywords

• cognition
• dementia
• epilepsy
• neurodegeneration
• neurology
• seizure.