Putting the Brakes on Accelerated Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease with Epileptic Activity
Keith Vossel
Abstract
Epileptic activity is known to exacerbate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and worsen disease course. However, few studies have assessed whether treating epileptic activity with antiseizure drugs (ASDs) can improve patient outcomes. The current study by Hautecloque-Raysz et al. shows that patients with prodromal AD and epilepsy (epAD) fare well with ASD treatment, achieving seizure control in a large majority of cases using low dosage ASDs in monotherapy. Compared to slowly progressing AD patients without epilepsy, treated epAD patients experienced a similarly slow cognitive decline. These results suggest that ASDs that suppress seizures can improve outcomes in AD patients with epileptic activity.
Topics & Concepts
EpilepsyCognitive declineDiseaseMedicineCognitionCognitive impairmentAlzheimer's diseasePsychiatryPediatricsPsychologyDementiaInternal medicineEpilepsy research and treatmentNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchPharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies