title: Seizures in Alzheimer's disease: a retrospective study of a cohort of outpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to define the frequency of seizures in a population of outpatients attending a cognitive function clinic in Italy and to identify risk factors for seizures in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, we analyzed our clinical records to gather information on patients' demographic, metabolic, cardiovascular and cognitive features. We sought to determine the significance of abnormal neuroimaging findings and the use of potentially epileptogenic drugs on the onset of seizures. From the records of 583 patients referred to the clinic for cognitive disturbances, we identified 145 patients with Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of these 145 patients, 14 (9.7%) had a history of complex partial or generalised seizures, or both. Of the risk factors identified, onset of seizures was associated with male gender and none of the patients with seizures had diabetes. The risk of seizure onset was higher in Alzheimer's disease patients with hyperlipaemia and severe dementia. No other risk factors were identified, although hypertensive patients seemed to be protected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seizures in Alzheimer's disease are frequent and often under-recognized. In elderly patients, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, correct diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent disease from worsening and disability from increasing. Patients with dementia should routinely undergo history-taking designed to elicit a history of seizures and define patients at high risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scaldaferri
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vanacore
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trebbastoni
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Francia
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prencipe
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010045:Outpatients; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors