In a study from the University of Virginia, scientists found dementia patients who suffer from seizures tend to decline faster and die younger.
The finding urges caregivers to watch for these sudden brain changes.
Seizures are often underdiagnosed because they can be subtle and the person just seems confused, so family members often mistake them for typical signs of dementia.
In some people, a staring spell is evidence of a seizure, while others may experience uncontrolled jerking movement of their arms or legs.
In the study, researchers analyzed data from 2005 to 2021 from 39 Alzheimer’s disease research centers, determining that 374 (1.4%) of the more than 26,000 dementia patients had seizures.
Those patients were much younger when the mental decline began, under 63 years old compared to 68 years old. They also died younger, at just under 73 years old compared to nearly 80 years old.
Dementia patients who had seizures were more likely to have a genetic mutation related to Alzheimer’s disease, to have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury, to have depression, or to have less education.
Dementia patients with seizures had more advanced cognitive impairment, including problems with thinking, communication, understanding and memory.
They also had more difficulty with basic daily activities, including eating, bathing, dressing and using the bathroom.
The team also found they were more likely to be dependent on others for physical help.
They say it’s important for family members and health care providers to recognize the patients with dementia who are at high risk for developing seizures, and ensure they are diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.
Seizures occur in as many as 64% of people who have dementia, the researchers said in background notes, and those with dementia are six to 10 times more likely to develop seizures.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about new drugs for incurable vascular dementia, and high blood pressure may lower dementia risk for some old adults.
For more information about dementia, please see recent studies that cataract removal may reduce the dementia risk by 30%, and results showing these antioxidants could help reduce the risk of dementia.
The study was conducted by Dr. Ifrah Zawar et al and presented at the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting.
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