[Epilepsy in the elderly].

The new occurrence of epileptic disorders increases continuously above the age of 60 years. The most frequent etiology of epilepsy in the elderly is vascular (32-54%). Tumors are the cause of epilepsy in the elderly in 11 to 33 per cent of cases, with a peak around the age of 60. The etiology of about one third of the cases of epilepsy newly diagnosed in old age cannot be clarified. The risks of inducing epileptic disorders are: after cerebral ischemia 4-9%, intracerebral hemorrhage 3%, and subarachnoidal hemorrhage 4-12%. It is important to recognize confusional states, for they may be symptoms of a psychomotor status or a prolonged postical phase. Occasional seizures occur more often in the elderly. Due to altered pharmacokinetics and problems of compliance in old age, the titration period of antiepileptic drugs should be planned with particular care and patients given simple drug regimens.