Epilepsy Comorbidities

J Millichap

doi:10.15844/pedneurbriefs-28-3-2

Author:

J Gordon Millichap

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, US

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Abstract

Investigators at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA; UCLA; and Univ Wisconsin, Madison, WI, draw attention to the lack of attention to comorbidities in the treatment of epilepsy.

How to Cite: Millichap, J.G., 2014. Epilepsy Comorbidities. Pediatric Neurology Briefs, 28(3), pp.18–19. DOI: http://doi.org/10.15844/pedneurbriefs-28-3-2

Investigators at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA; UCLA; and Univ Wisconsin, Madison, WI, draw attention to the lack of attention to comorbidities in the treatment of epilepsy. Comorbidities include depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, interictal psychosis, autism, and suicidal behavior. Despite studies that demonstrate the frequency of cognitive, psychiatric, linguistic, and social problems, the translation of research data to clinical practice is frequently hindered by limited access to critical cognitive and psychological evaluations and counseling. The NINDS Epilepsy Benchmarks and other national initiatives emphasize the need for comprehensive care for patients with epilepsy, yet there is a continuing lack of interest in support of these goals. [1]

COMMENTARY. ADHD is a common comorbidity of epilepsy, occurring in one of 5 children with epilepsy [2]. Quality of life was impaired twofold in children with epilepsy complicated by ADHD-inattentive subtype (ADHD-I), and fourfold with ADHD-hyperactive-Impulsive subtype (ADHD-C) comorbidity, when compared to non-ADHD/epilepsy patients. Methylphenidate with AEDs may be beneficial in treatment of ADHD and AED refractory epilepsy [3, 4].

References

Asato, MR, Caplan, R and Hermann, BP (2014). Epilepsy and comorbidities – What are we waiting for?. Epilepsy Behav Feb 201431: 127–8, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.11.027 [PubMed]

Gross-Tsur, V, Manor, O, van der Meere, J, Joseph, A and Shalev, RS (1997). Epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: is methylphenidate safe and effective?. J Pediatr Apr 1997130(4): 670–4, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(97)70258-0 [PubMed]

Fosi, T, Lax-Pericall, MT, Scott, RC, Neville, BG and Aylett, SE (2013). Methylphenidate treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young people with learning disability and difficult-to-treat epilepsy: evidence of clinical benefit. Epilepsia Dec 201354(12): 2071–81, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12399 [PubMed]

Millichap, JG (2014). Pediatr Neurol Briefs. Feb 201428(2): 10–11.

[CIT0001] Asato, MR, Caplan, R and Hermann, BP (2014). Epilepsy and comorbidities – What are we waiting for?. Epilepsy Behav Feb 201431: 127–8, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.11.027 [PubMed]

[CIT0002] Gross-Tsur, V, Manor, O, van der Meere, J, Joseph, A and Shalev, RS (1997). Epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: is methylphenidate safe and effective?. J Pediatr Apr 1997130(4): 670–4, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(97)70258-0 [PubMed]

[CIT0003] Fosi, T, Lax-Pericall, MT, Scott, RC, Neville, BG and Aylett, SE (2013). Methylphenidate treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young people with learning disability and difficult-to-treat epilepsy: evidence of clinical benefit. Epilepsia Dec 201354(12): 2071–81, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12399 [PubMed]

[CIT0004] Millichap, JG (2014). Pediatr Neurol Briefs. Feb 201428(2): 10–11.

Reading: Epilepsy Comorbidities

Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy Comorbidities

Author:

J Gordon Millichap

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, US

X close

Abstract

References