[Epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction]

Brain Nerve. 2013 Feb;65(2):195-202.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Acquired higher brain dysfunction is for the most part due to cerebral vascular disease, but epilepsy may also be a cause. In this study with five patients, we discuss the advantages of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for persistent higher brain dysfunction. The patients showed chronic amnesia or acute aphasia, with associated symptoms like personality change. All five cases affected automatism or convulsive attack, though only after the emergence of higher brain dysfunction and administration of AEDs. There were underlying diseases like cerebral arteriovenous malformation in four cases, but the other patient had none. Electroencephalogram and single photon emission computed tomography revealed one case of aphasia epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction. These results suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of AEDs for persistent higher brain dysfunction, and we must differentiate epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction from dementia or cerebral vascular disease.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amnesia / diagnosis
  • Amnesia / drug therapy
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Aphasia / diagnosis
  • Aphasia / drug therapy
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants