Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T06:48:11.519Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Characteristics of epilepsy in a population based cohort of adults with learning disability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Shoumitro Deb  and
Joseph Joyce
Shoumitro Deb
Affiliation:
Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN, Wales.
Joseph Joyce
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Northgate Hospital, Morpeth, Northumberland, NF6I 3BP, England
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to define various aspects of epilepsy in a population based sample of adults with a learning disability.

Method: A purpose-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on various aspects of epilepsy on 143 adults with a learning disability and epilepsy. Names of these subjects were collected from a hospital for learning disabled adults, specialist epilepsy clinics and social services department. Data was gathered from case notes and direct patient examination.

Results: Generalised tonic clonic seizure was the most common seizure type. Seventy-three per cent sustained a seizure within the previous 12 months of the study. Abnormal EEG findings including excessive slow background activities and epileptiform waves were documented in a high proportion of subjects with a learning disability and epilepsy.

Conclusions: Both resistant epilepsy and generalised tonic clonic seizures seem to be more frequent among the learning disabled population compared with the general population.

Keywords

Learning disabilityEpilepsyMental retardation
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , March 1999 , pp. 5 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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.Shorvon, SD. Epidemiology, classification, natural history and genetics of epilepsy. Lancet 1990; 336: 93–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Corbett, JA. Epilepsy and mental retardation. In: Reynolds, EH & Trimble, MR eds. Epilepsy and Psychiatry. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1981: 138–46.Google Scholar
3.Lewis, EO. Report on an investigation into the incidence of mental deficiency in six areas. In: report of the mental deficiency committee. London: HMSO, 1929: 1925–1927.Google Scholar
4.Michelucci, R, Forti, A, Rubboli, G, Plasmarti, R, Volpi, L, Tassinari, CA. Mental retardation and behavioural disturbances related to epilepsy: a review. Brain Dysfunction 1989; 2(1): 3–9.Google Scholar
5.Tizard, J, Grad, JC. The mentally handicapped and their families. Oxford: University Press Oxford, 1961.Google Scholar
6.Payne, R. The psychotic subnormal. J Mental Subnormality 1968; 14:25–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Rutter, M, Tizard, J, Yule, W, Graham, P, Whitmore, K. Research Report: Isle of Wight studies 1964-1974. Psychological Medicine 1976; 6: 313–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Richardson, SA, Koller, H, Katz, M, McLaren, J. Seizures and epilepsy in a mentally retarded population over the first 22 years of life. Applied Research in Mental Retardation 1980; 1: 123–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Forsgren, L, Edvinsson, SO, Blomquist, HK, Heiibel, J, Sidenvall, R. Epilepsy in a population of mentally retarded children and adults. Epilepsy Research 1990; 6(3): 234–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Goulden, KJ, Shinnar, S, Koller, H, Katz, M, Richardson, SA. Epilepsy in children with mental retardation: a cohort study. Epilepsia 1991; 32(5) 690–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.McGrother, CW, Hauck, A, Bhaumik, S, Thorp, C, Taub, N. Community care for adults with learning disability and their carers: needs and outcome from the Leicestershire register. J Intellect Disabil Res 1996; 40(2): 183–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Deb, S. Epilepsy and mental retardation. Epilepsy Bulletin 1997; 25: 91–4.Google Scholar
13.Gunn, J, Fenton, G. Epilepsy in prisons: A diagnostic survey. BMJ 1969; iv: 326–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy. Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalograpnic classification of epileptic seizures. Epilepsia 1981; 22: 489–501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Deb, S, Joyce, J. The use of anti-epileptic medication in a population based cohort of adults with learning disability and epilepsy. Int J Psychiatry in Clinical Practice 1999, in print.Google Scholar
16.Deb, S, Joyce, J. Psychiatric illness and behavioural problems in adults with learning disability and epilepsy. Behavioural Neurology 1999 (submitted).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Brown, S, Betts, T, Chadwick, D, Hall, W, Shorvon, S, Wallace, S. An epilepsy needs document. Seizure 1993; 2: 91–103.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.McVicker, RW, Shanks, OEP, McClelland, RJ. Prevalence and associated features of epilepsy in adults with Down's syndrome. Br J Psychiatry 1994; 164: 528–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Coulter, DL. Epilepsy and mental retardation: an overview. Am J Ment Retard 1993; 98(5): 1–11.Google ScholarPubMed
20.Deb, S. Mental disorder in adults with mental retardation and epilepsy. Compre Psychiatry 1997; 38(3): 179–84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Deb, S, Hunter, D. Psychopathology of people with mental handicap and epilepsy: maladaptive behaviour. Br J Psychiatry 1991; 159: 822–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Collacott, RA. Epilepsy, dementia and adaptive behaviour in Down's syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Res 1993; 37:153–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Brodtkorb, E. The diversity of epilepsy in adults with severe developmental disabilities: age at seizure onset and other prognostic factors. Seizure 1994; 3(4): 277–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Deb, S, deSilva, PN, Gemmell, HG, Besson, JAO, Smith, FW, Ebmeier, KP. Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down's syndrome: the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow deficits and dementia. Acta Psychiatrica Scand 1992; 36: 371–5.Google Scholar
25.Hauser, WA, Annegers, JF. Epidemiology of epilepsy. In: Laidlaw, J, Richens, A, Chadwick, D eds. A textbook of epilepsy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1993: 23–45.Google Scholar
26.Deb, S. Electrophysiological correlates of psychopathology in individuals with mental retardation and epilepsy. J Intellect Disabil Res 1995; 39:129–35.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed