What is the Link Between Dementia and Seizures?
Dementia and seizures may seem like separate conditions, but research shows they are connected. People with dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, are more likely to have seizures. At the same time, those with epilepsy may experience faster memory loss. Understanding this connection can help improve diagnosis and treatment.
How Common Are Seizures in Dementia?
Seizures happen more often in people with dementia than in older adults without the condition. Studies show that up to 22% of those with Alzheimer’s disease may experience seizures (Horvath et al., 2019). The risk is even higher for those who develop dementia at a younger age or have more advanced symptoms. Many of these seizures go unnoticed because they may not involve shaking. Instead, they can cause confusion, staring, or unresponsiveness (Vossel et al., 2017). Recognizing these subtle symptoms is critical for early intervention and treatment.
Seizures in dementia may also be triggered by underlying brain changes, such as reduced blood flow, increased brain inflammation, and the accumulation of harmful proteins. Identifying these factors can help in designing preventive strategies.
How Do Seizures Affect Memory and Thinking?
Seizures can damage brain connections, increase stress on brain cells, and cause inflammation (Lin et al., 2020). When neurons become overactive, they create excessive electrical activity, which can impair brain function. Over time, repeated seizures may worsen cognitive impairment, making memory loss more severe.
Some people with dementia have “silent seizures,” where abnormal brain activity occurs without visible symptoms. These hidden seizures can make memory loss worse and speed up cognitive decline (Lam et al., 2017). This means that even without noticeable shaking or convulsions, the brain could still be experiencing significant disruptions in function. Advanced diagnostic techniques, such as long-term EEG monitoring, are helping researchers detect these silent seizures more accurately.
What Do Dementia and Seizures Have in Common?
Both conditions involve changes in the brain. The buildup of harmful proteins, like amyloid-beta and tau, plays a key role in Alzheimer’s disease. These same proteins can make brain cells more excitable, leading to seizures (Zhang et al., 2022). When these proteins accumulate, they interfere with normal cell communication, triggering seizures and worsening cognitive decline.
Studies on animals have shown that amyloid buildup can trigger seizures, which in turn, worsens brain damage (Lehmann et al., 2021). Inflammation and oxidative stress also play key roles in both dementia and epilepsy. When brain cells become inflamed, they are more vulnerable to damage, which can further accelerate memory loss and cognitive impairment.
How Are Seizures Diagnosed in Dementia Patients?
Diagnosing seizures in people with dementia can be challenging. The symptoms may be mistaken for typical signs of memory loss. Some individuals may appear dazed, experience sudden lapses in attention, or have difficulty following conversations, which can easily be misinterpreted as general cognitive decline.
Doctors often use EEG tests to check for abnormal brain activity (Nous et al., 2024). If seizures are detected, treatment can help manage symptoms and potentially slow cognitive decline. Advanced imaging techniques, such as functional MRI, are also being explored to provide more insight into seizure activity in dementia patients.
Treatment and Management Options
Doctors may prescribe anti-seizure medications for people with dementia who experience seizures. However, some drugs can worsen memory problems. Medications like levetiracetam and lamotrigine are often recommended because they have fewer side effects on cognition (Lu et al., 2023). These drugs help stabilize brain activity without causing excessive sedation or cognitive decline.
Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and proper sleep, can also help reduce the risk of seizures. A diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids and low in processed foods may help protect brain cells from damage. Exercise and cognitive training can also support overall brain health and potentially reduce seizure activity.
Looking to the Future
Researchers are studying whether detecting and treating seizures early can help slow the progression of dementia. New treatments are being explored to target both conditions at the same time (Subota et al., 2017). Innovations in wearable technology and home-based EEG monitoring are making it easier to detect seizures in dementia patients outside of clinical settings.
With more research, doctors hope to improve the quality of life for people affected by dementia and seizures. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel drug therapies, brain stimulation techniques, and lifestyle interventions that may help manage both dementia and epilepsy more effectively.
Conclusion
The link between dementia and seizures is becoming clearer. Recognizing and managing seizures in people with dementia can help improve their overall brain health. By staying informed and working with healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients can take steps to better manage these conditions. Early detection, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate treatments can make a significant difference in improving cognitive health and quality of life.
References
Horvath, A., et al. (2019). Precuneus-Dominant Degeneration of Parietal Lobe Is at Risk of Epilepsy in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 878. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00878
Lam, A. D., et al. (2017). Silent Hippocampal Seizures and Spikes Identified by Foramen Ovale Electrodes in Alzheimer’s Disease. Nature Medicine, 23(6), 678-680. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4330
Lehmann, L., et al. (2021). Alzheimer’s Disease and Epilepsy: A Perspective on the Opportunities for Overlapping Therapeutic Innovation. Neurochemical Research, 46, 1895-1912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-021-03332-y
Lin, R., et al. (2020). Unravelling the Role of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Epileptic Seizures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(10), 3676. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21103676
Lu, O., et al. (2023). Alzheimer’s Disease and Epilepsy: Shared Neuropathology Guides Current and Future Treatment Strategies. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1241339. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1241339
Nous, A., et al. (2024). Subclinical Epileptiform Activity in the Alzheimer Continuum: Association with Disease, Cognition and Detection Method. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 16, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01373-9
Subota, A., et al. (2017). The Association Between Dementia and Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Epilepsia, 58(6), 962-972. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13744
Vossel, K. A., et al. (2017). Seizures and Epileptiform Activity in the Early Stages of Alzheimer Disease. JAMA Neurology, 74(5), 600-608. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.5868Zhang, D., et al. (2022). The Clinical Correlation Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Epilepsy. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, 922535. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.922535
