Epilepsy in the Elderly

Ilo E. Leppik; Angela Birnbaum

doi:10.1055/s-2002-36650

Seminars in Neurology, Table of Contents

Semin Neurol 2002; 22(3): 309-320
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36650

Epilepsy in the Elderly

Ilo E. Leppik^1,2 , Angela Birnbaum³

¹MINCEP Epilepsy Care, Minneapolis, Minnesota
²Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
³Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The elderly are the most rapidly growing segment of our population, and onset of epilepsy is higher in this age group than in any other. With advancing age, there are changes in drug absorption, disposition, and binding. In addition, within the elderly are subgroups: (1) elderly healthy except for epilepsy (EH) and (2) elderly with multiple medical problems (EMMP). This review examines the factors that need to be considered when selecting the appropriate antiepileptic drug (AED) for an elderly person with epilepsy. Both the older and newer AEDs are reviewed.

KEYWORD

Elderly - epilepsy - antiepileptic drugs - pharmacokinetics

Full Text

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