engleski

Epilepsy and mental disorders in the elderly

The relationship between epilepsy and mental disorders continues to be of particular interest. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders is higher in patients with epilepsy than in general population ; the most frequent psychiatric disorders are anxiety, depression, panic attacks, behavioral disorders, as well as psychotic states with paranoid elements. The negative impact of such disorders on the quality of life of patients is well known and produces various psychosocial problems whose early recognition is of paramount importance. Very different psychic clinical manifestations can be present in preictal period as actual seizures in postictal period, but interictal depression is the most common presentation. Iatrogenic causes, particularly treatment with some antiepileptics, must be excluded. Management of depression in elderly with epilepsy i very specific because of pharmacokinetic interactions between psychopharmaceutic drugs and antiepileptics. A group of 83 over 60 years patients affected by different epilepsy phenotypes and mental disorders was analyzed. Antiepileptic and antipsychotic drug treatment has been evaluated, particularly a positive effect of new antiepileptics (monotherapy and polytherapy) both on the reduction of seizures and mental disorders. The aim of our study is to establish and present differences in utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in the treatment of older patients with epilepsy and mental disorders. Data on type of epilepsy, seizure frequency, CT/MR brain exams and drug therapy for epilepsy are discussed.

epilepsy; mental disorders; elderly

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