Late-onset psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Reza Behrouz; Leanne Heriaud; Selim R Benbadis

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2006.02.003

Late-onset psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Epilepsy Behav. 2006 May;8(3):649-50. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2006.02.003. Epub 2006 Mar 13.

Authors

Reza Behrouz¹, Leanne Heriaud, Selim R Benbadis

Affiliation

¹ Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Tampa General Hospital, Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.

PMID: 16531122
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2006.02.003

Abstract

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are common, but have not been well studied in older patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients with PNES who were 60 years of age and above at the time of "seizure" onset. Over a 27-month period, nine (9.6%) of 94 patients diagnosed with PNES had onset at age 60 or above. None had evidence for coexisting epilepsy. Eight were women. Characteristics of the group were comparable to younger patients with PNES. We conclude that PNES should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in older patients.

MeSH terms

Age of Onset
Aged
Anxiety Disorders / complications
Electroencephalography
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mood Disorders / complications
Psychophysiologic Disorders / complications
Psychophysiologic Disorders / diagnosis
Psychophysiologic Disorders / epidemiology*
Retrospective Studies
Seizures / psychology*