Increased mortality in epilepsy

The aim of the therapy of epilepsy is the prevention of seizures

03/25/2014

About one percent of the population suffers from epilepsy. This occurs in the brain of those affected „neural thunderstorm“ on, in which the nerve cells discharge uncontrollably. As a result seizures occur in which patients temporarily lose consciousness and the body twitches uncontrollably. So far, experts assumed that only in a seizure series is an increased risk. The Salzburg neurologist Eugen Trinka pointed out recently at a press conference in Vienna at the annual meeting of the Austrian Society for Neuorologie and the European Year of the brain to a recent study that brings epilepsy with an increased mortality associated. Thus, so-called comorbidities such as injury, drowning, depression and anxiety lead to increased mortality.

Comorbidities cause mortality in epilepsy
„A recent study shows that the mortality associated with epilepsy is much higher than previously thought, "Trinka told the news agency „APA“. In particular, injuries and other comorbidities are responsible for the mortality of epileptics being three times higher than in the total population. Since epileptic seizures occur unexpectedly and uncontrollably, sufferers can sometimes be seriously injured. Thus fractures are not uncommon as a result of heavy falls.

Most often, seniors are affected by epilepsy. About 250 new cases are registered among 100,000 elderly, in children, there are 100 and in adults (excluding seniors) only 30 Other neurological diseases such as stroke or dementia significantly more common in advanced age.

In around 70 percent of patients, so-called antiepileptic drugs prevent seizures from occurring again. However, this presupposes that those affected receive the correct diagnosis and appropriate therapy. The research is already quite far, explained Trinka. For example, adenosine is now used in therapy with the body's own messenger substance to reduce seizures. Since the substance has strong side effects, it can not be administered systemically. In animal experiments, adenosine-releasing cells have been successfully implanted near an epileptic focus. In humans, this method is not yet used.

With very strong epilepsy and a structural lesion of the brain as the cause of the seizures, a surgical procedure may be useful (epilepsy surgery).

European year of the brain
In addition to epilepsy in the context of „European year of the brain“ to be alerted to other diseases and therapies that affect the organ. The year was called by the European Brain Council (EBC), which is supported by more than 200 European health, science and industry organizations. In addition, the EBC is working with several EU bodies and the WHO to further the research and teaching of the brain.

The EBC speaks of Regina Katzenschlager, President of the Austrian Neurologists, of 220 million people with neurological diseases. Of these, 150 million suffered from headaches, nearly 50 million suffered from sleep disorders, and more than 8 million had strokes. The diagnosis and treatment of neuro-psychiatric disorders costs around 800 million euros annually in the European economies. (Ag)

Picture credits: Gerd Altmann