Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T12:32:06.254Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Complex partial seizures presenting as frontotemporal dementia: a case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Ray Goggins*
Affiliation:
Avonmead, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, England

Abstract

Both epilepsy and dementia are common after the age of 65. Epilepsy, originating in the temporal lobes, can present clinically in a variety of ways and can be difficult to diagnose. Loss of consciousness may not be evident. Reported here is a unique case of a 65 year old man who presented with clinical features of frontotemporal dementia but was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from complex partial seizures. He made a full recovery with antiepileptic treatment.

Type
Case report
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Stevens, T, Livingston, G, Kitchen, G, Manela, M, Walker, Z, Katona, C. Islington study of dementia subtypes in the community. B J Psych 2002 Mar; 180, 270–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Snowden, JS, Neary, D, Mann, D. M. A. Frontotemporal dementia. British Journal of Psychiatry 2002; 180, 140–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Hauser, WA, Annegers, JF, Kurland, LT. Incidence of epilepsy and unprovoked seizures in Rochester, Minnesota 1935-1984. Epilepsia 1993; 34; 453–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Bridgman, PA, Malamut, BL, Sperling, MR, Saykin, AJ, O'Connor, MJ. Memory during subclinical hippocampal seizures. Neurology 1989; 39: 853–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Tatum, WO, Ross, J, Cole, A. Epileptic pseudodementia. Neurology 1998 May; 50(5): 1472–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Griesinger, W. 1857. Mental pathology and therapeutics. London: New Sydenham Society.Google Scholar
7.Lewis, AJ. Melancholia: a historical review. J Ment Sci 1934; 80: 142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Blumberg, HP, Kanwal, GS, Relkin, N, Mattis, S, Viederman, M, Makari, GJ. Psychiatric complications in a patient with complex partial seizures. Am J Psychiatry 1996 Mar; 153(3): 404–5.Google Scholar
9.Rowe, D. Green, A. Epilepsy and mood disorders: implications for management. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry 1999 July 3(4): 21–4.Google Scholar
10.Blum, DE, Eskola, J, Bortz, JJ, Fisher, RS. Patient awareness of seizures. Neurology 1996; 47: 260–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Gotman, J, Ives, JR, Gloor, P (eds), Long-term monitoring in epilepsy. In: Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol Suppl 37. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 1985.Google Scholar
12.Placidi, F, Marchiani, MG, Diomedi, M, Scalise, A, Pauri, F, Giacomini, P, Gigli, GL. Effects of lamotrigine on nocturnal sleep, daytime somnolence and cognitive functions in focal epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand 2000 Aug; 102(2): 81–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Willmore, LJ. Choice and use of newer anticonvulsant drugs in older patients. Drugs Aging 2000 Dec; 17(6): 441–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Ferrier, IN. Developments in mood stabilisers. Br Med Bull 2001; 57: 179–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed