부산대학교 도서관

The percentage of elderly people in Germany and therefore of patients with late onset epilepsy will further increase within the next years. Epilepsy in elderly patients is still overlooked because the typical seizure semiology is different from younger patients. Seizures in elderly patients occur with signs of confusion and less often with motor signs, such as oral automatism or convulsions. Postictal confusion and also Todd’s paresis normally last longer in elderly patients; therefore, these signs may be misinterpreted as dementia or stroke. However, due to the good efficacy of antiepileptic drug therapy in elderly patients an early diagnosis may prevent further hospitalization and injuries, such as bone fractures. This article gives a summary of the diagnostics and the differential diagnoses in elderly people with epilepsy.