Epilepsy Hits 1 in 1,000 Adults Over 65 Each Year as Subtle Seizures Go Unrecognized
Updated
Updated · UKNow · Aug 24
Epilepsy Hits 1 in 1,000 Adults Over 65 Each Year as Subtle Seizures Go Unrecognized
2 articles · Updated · UKNow · Aug 24
Summary
About 1 in 1,000 people over 65 develop new-onset epilepsy each year, and neurologist Sally Mathias said many cases are missed because seizures often appear as confusion, memory lapses or staring spells.
Those episodes are frequently mistaken for normal aging, medication side effects or early dementia, while older adults may stay confused for hours or days after a seizure and often lack warning auras.
Stroke is the leading trigger—especially in the first year after the event—while dementia, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors and vascular disease also raise seizure risk later in life.
More than 80% of older adults can achieve strong seizure control with a single anti-seizure drug, and specialized epilepsy centers can improve diagnosis and expand options such as surgery for selected patients.
Mathias said untreated seizures can worsen falls, injuries and cognitive decline, arguing that unexplained confusion or impaired awareness should prompt evaluation rather than be dismissed as normal aging.