title: The epidemiology of epilepsy. Past, present, and future.
abstract: Much has been learned from epidemiologic studies about the frequency, causes, natural history, and prognosis of epilepsy and other seizure disorders. This knowledge has resulted in significant changes in the clinical management of individuals who have seizures and epilepsy. Recent changes in the known causal factors and diagnostic technologic advances, among other factors, will affect the epidemiology and prognosis of epilepsy. Continued epidemiologic monitoring of this common neurologic condition is necessary to ensure an accurate understanding of the current forms of the disorder.
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Professions, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, USA.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shinnar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015982:Bias; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants