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Growing old with epilepsy: the neglected issue of cognitive and brain health in aging and elder persons with chronic epilepsy
Author(s) -
Hermann Bruce,
Seidenberg Michael,
Sager Mark,
Carlsson Cynthia,
Gidal Barry,
Sheth Raj,
Rutecki Paul,
Asthana Sanjay
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01435.x
Subject(s) - epilepsy , cognition , cognitive aging , brain aging , psychology , medicine , cognitive decline , population , gerontology , psychiatry , dementia , disease , environmental health , pathology
SummaryThe purpose of this review is to examine what is known about cognitive and brain aging in elders with chronic epilepsy. We contend that much remains to be learned about the ultimate course of cognition and brain structure in persons with chronic epilepsy and concern appears warranted. Individuals with chronic epilepsy are exposed to many risk factors demonstrated to be associated with abnormal cognitive and brain aging in the general population, with many of these risk factors present in persons with chronic epilepsy as early as midlife. We suggest that a research agenda be developed to systematically identify and treat known modifiable risk factors in order to protect and promote cognitive and brain health in aging and elder persons with chronic epilepsy.