Stroke survivors have increased risk of epilepsy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Researchers in Norway say that stroke severity can be a predictor of epilepsy in the future.
It is already known that those who have had a stroke have an increased risk of then developing epilepsy. Now a team in Norway, at the National Centre for Epilepsy, report on one of the longest follow-up studies of this link. Looking at more than 500 patients, they concluded that 3.1 per cent of those who have a stroke go on to develop epilepsy. Those who have had a severe stroke have five times the risk of developing epilepsy afterwards compared to those who had had a less severe stroke. Neither treatment in a specialized stroke unit, age at onset of stroke or geographical location affected the risk of developing epilepsy after a stroke.

Further research should look into whether newer treatments for stroke might reduce the frequency of post-stroke epilepsy. And health workers must be aware that epilepsy is a complication of stroke and be ready to administer anti-epileptic drugs.

Source
Epilepsia August 2005

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.