The relevance of neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive problems in new-onset epilepsy - Current knowledge and understanding.
Neurobehavioral and cognition problems are highly prevalent in epilepsy, but most research studies to date have not adequately addressed the precise nature of the relationship between these comorbidities and seizures. To address this complex issue and to facilitate collaborative, innovative research in the rising field of neurobehavioral comorbidities and cognition disturbances in new-onset epilepsy, international epilepsy experts met at the 3rd Halifax International Epilepsy Conference & Retreat at White Point, South Shore, Nova Scotia, Canada from September 18 to 20, 2014. This Conference Proceedings provides a summary of the conference proceedings. Specifically, the following topics are discussed: (i) role of comorbidities in epilepsy diagnosis and management, (ii) role of antiepileptic medications in understanding the relationship between epilepsy and neurobehavioral and cognition problems, and (iii) animal data and diagnostic approaches. Evidence to date, though limited, strongly suggests a bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities. In fact, it is likely that seizures and neurobehavioral problems represent different symptoms of a common etiology or network-wide disturbance. As a reflection of this shared network, psychiatric comorbidities and/or cognition problems may actually precede the seizure occurrence and likely get often missed if not screened.
Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University of Halifax, Canada; Brain Repair Center, Dalhousie University of Halifax, Canada. Electronic address: B.Pohlmann-Eden@dal.ca.
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Pohlmann-Eden
Epilepsiecentrum Kempenhaeghe, The Netherlands.
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Aldenkamp
Division of Neurosciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Baker
Bethel Epilepsy Center, Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany.
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Brandt
Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cendes
Department of Neuropathology, University of Erlangen, Germany.
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Coras
Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University of Halifax, Canada.
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Crocker
Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Germany.
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Helmstaedter
McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada.
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Jones-Gotman
Epilepsy Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, USA.
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Kanner
Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute, D. Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
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Mazarati
Epilepsy Group, Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Medical and Biomedical Sciences St. George's University of London, United Kingdom.
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Mula
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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Smith
Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University of Halifax, Canada.
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Omisade
Epilepsy Program Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Canada.
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Tellez-Zenteno
Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA.
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Hermann
D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D032882:Comprehension; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology
Cognition; Etiology; First seizure; New study designs; New-onset epilepsy; Psychiatric comorbidities