EPILEPSY AND EPILEPTIC SEIZURES IN OLDER-PEOPLE

Epilepsy is an increasing problem in elderly people, but there is litt le research on the management of epileptic seizures in this group. Dia gnosis is notoriously difficult, particularly distinguishing epilepsy from cardiovascular causes of syncope. The effects of comorbidity and concomitant medication are the most important variables determining th e way in which an elderly person will respond to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Adverse effects of AEDs may cause loss of confidence or indepe ndence in an elderly person already close to the threshold of function al failure. Drug treatment is only one part of a rational management p lan for this group.