Late-onset epilepsy of unknown etiology is more treatment-responsive than acquired lesional late-onset epilepsy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Late-onset epilepsy of unknown etiology (LOEU) carries an elevated risk of dementia, suggesting that it may represent an early manifestation of neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular disease. Direct comparisons between LOEU and acquired lesional late-onset epilepsy (LOE) may elucidate clinical features specific to LOEU.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with LOE, with first documented seizure at age 55 or older, whose evaluation included an epilepsy-protocol brain MRI and/or inpatient video-EEG evaluation. Etiology was determined from neuroimaging lesions and medical history. Patients without an identified etiology were categorized as LOEU. Analyses were performed controlling for sex, age of onset, and epilepsy duration.

Results

We

SUBMITTER: Hickman LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature