“Study Shows Surgery Can Help Older Adults with Epilepsy: 57% Seizure-Free After Treatment”

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A recent study dives into the world of epilepsy surgery, particularly focusing on older adults aged 60 and above. This is an important area of research because we know that managing epilepsy in older patients can be tricky, especially considering the various health issues or comorbidities they may have. The researchers looked at 94 older adults who underwent a specific type of surgery called resective epilepsy surgery (RES) between 2000 and 2021. Over an average follow-up period of about 3.5 years, they found that nearly 57% of these patients were seizure-free after the surgery.

What’s particularly interesting about this study is how it highlights some key factors that could predict whether someone would continue to have seizures post-surgery. For example, the presence of an aura—those warning signs some people feel before a seizure—appeared to be a positive factor, meaning that if someone experienced this, they were less likely to have seizures recur after surgery. Additionally, the study pointed out that the type of brain electrical activity measured during seizures (called an ictal electroencephalographic pattern) and the overall health status of the patients, as determined by a comorbidity index, were also significant indicators of seizure recurrence.

These findings are crucial not just for doctors but also for patients and their families as they consider whether to pursue surgery for epilepsy. Knowing which factors might lead to better outcomes can help in making more informed decisions. However, the researchers also emphasized the need for further studies across multiple centers to strengthen these conclusions and help reduce any hesitation among doctors and patients about surgery.

Overall, this research sheds light on an often-overlooked demographic in epilepsy care and sets the stage for more comprehensive discussions about treatment options for older adults living with epilepsy. It’s a step towards better understanding how different health conditions can impact surgical outcomes in this age group.

-- This post was originally published on this site

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