Another rationale for brain brightening ?

[Guest guest]

> The National Council on Aging just issued the following news release:

>

> 'Senior Moments' May Signal More Serious Disease

> 11 Mar 2005

>

> Older Americans Have Highest Prevalence of Epilepsy of Any Age Group, But

> the Disease is Often Unrecognized or Improperly Treated -

>

> For people 60 and older, brief gaps in conversation, periods of confusion,

> blank stares or being unresponsive are often chalked up to benign " senior

> moments. " But these may actually be signs of epilepsy, which is now more

> prevalent among older Americans than any other age group. Unfortunately,

> the condition often goes unrecognized - even by healthcare professionals -

> or is improperly treated, according to experts who spoke today at a joint

> conference of The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) and the American

> Society on Aging (ASA).

>

> " Epilepsy is one of the most often misdiagnosed, mistreated or under-

> treated conditions affecting seniors, " said Firman, Ed.D., President

> and CEO, NCOA. " We believe seniors, their families and their caregivers

> need to be more aware of the growing prevalence of epilepsy in this age

> group

> so they can discuss telltale symptoms with their physicians and, if

> diagnosed, are better equipped to deal with it. "

>

> Older Americans comprise about 25 percent of all those who have epilepsy

> or experience an unprovoked seizure, but because epilepsy is more often

> associated with major seizures causing convulsions, the more subtle but

> potentially dangerous symptoms in seniors are often overlooked.

>

> " Unfortunately, most healthcare providers who care for older Americans

> aren't aware of these distinctions in diagnosis or treatment, " says R.

> Eugene Ramsay, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry; Director,

> International Center for Epilepsy, University of Miami and one of the

> speakers at the " When Senior Moments Become Cause for Concern " press

> briefing held this afternoon in Philadelphia.

>

> One of Dr. Ramsay's patients, 70-year-old Suzanne Fishman, will be

> sharing her own experience being diagnosed with epilepsy at an older age.

> " At my

> age, I didn't think people developed epilepsy. I went through several

> treatments and suffered with side effects before they found one that kept

> my seizures under control without interfering with my life. "

>

> To help thousands of other seniors like Suzanne Fishman and caregivers,

> the NCOA has developed a free discussion guide, Controlling Epilepsy Later

> In

> Life, that can be accessed on the NCOA website at ncoa.org and clicking on

> Seniors' Corner. This guide covers important topics including the signs

> and symptoms of epilepsy and questions to ask a physician about diagnosis

> and

> treatment options that are most appropriate for older patients.

>

> Although there are a number of effective therapies for treating epilepsy,

> treating seniors poses special challenges. According to Dr. Ramsay, older

> anti-epileptic drugs (first generation anti-epileptics) are primarily used

> to treat the most common type of seizures. " The older anti-epileptic drug

> carbamazepine is still being used most often to treat the most common type

> of seizures, but is far from ideal for elderly patients because it is

> difficult to dose accurately, interacts with other drugs often taken by

> elderly patients, and can have side effects such as heart toxicity, weight

> gain and bone loss. "

>

> " The newer, second generation treatments, such as levetiracetam, " Dr.

> Ramsay continued, " have been developed in the past decade and are better

> treatment choices because of their ease in dosing, lack of side effects

> and they don't interact with other medications. "

>

> Because so little research has been performed comparing anti-epileptic

> drugs in the elderly, Dr. Ramsay and his colleagues are currently

> conducting a study comparing the efficacy and safety of two leading

> medications used

> to treat epilepsy in seniors. The well-controlled study will be conducted

> in

> multiple locations across the U.S. To learn more about the study and

> possible enrollment, patients and caregivers may call 305-575-7000

> extension 3963.

>

> This program was made possible through a restricted educational grant

> provided by UCB Pharma, Inc. For more information about epilepsy in older

> Americans, please visit the Seniors' Corner section of the NCOA's website,

> http://www.ncoa.org.

>

> Epilepsy In Seniors

>

> Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects more than 2.5

> million Americans, making it one of the most common neurological

> disorders. Once considered a disorder of the young, those over 65

> constitute the most

> rapidly growing population with epilepsy, and epilepsy is twice as likely

> to occur in seniors. Epilepsy is not just a condition someone is born

> with,

> but can be caused by common health problems associated with aging,

> including

> stroke, certain cancers, and heart disease. It may also develop following

> a blow to the head, or trauma such as an auto accident.

>

> About The NCOA

>

> Founded in 1950, The National Council on the Aging is a national network

> of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and

> independence of older persons; and increasing their continuing

> contributions to communities, society, and future generations. For more

> information on

> NCOA, visit http://www.ncoa.org.