title: Epilepsy and EEG in the elderly.
abstract: Seizures are now the third most frequently encountered neurologic problem in the elderly population. The incidence of recurrent unprovoked seizures peaks in older patients. Because of this age-related increase and the growing elderly population, evaluation and treatment of the elderly patient has received increasing attention. This article focuses on epilepsy, not acute seizures in the elderly. The causes and types of epilepsy older individuals experience are reviewed, along with the diagnostic role of EEG. Treatment options are briefly addressed.
authors.affiliation: VA Pittsburgh Health Care System and University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15240-1001, USA.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Van Cott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D015897:Comorbidity; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants