Geriatric Epilepsy

Welcome to this online program entitled:
Special Considerations in the Treatment of Geriatric Epilepsy

Please be sure to read through all of the program information on this page and within the program web site.

Release Date: June 1, 2005
Available for credit through: June 1, 2008

Target Audience
This activity is intended for neurologists, epileptologists, and other healthcare professionals specializing in the care of elderly patients.

Program Description
It is well documented that incidence of epilepsy increases rapidly after age 65. In a community-based population, the incidence of a first seizure is 52 to 59 per 100,000 in persons 40 to 59 years of age, but rises to 127 per 100,000 in those 60 and over. Studies indicate that prevalence in the nursing home is even higher, with approximately 10% of nursing home residents treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Currently, 1.5 million elderly people reside in nursing homes, therefore as many as 150,000 elderly patients in nursing homes may be taking AEDs. The widespread prevalence of epilepsy in this population indicates a need to educate the physicians who treat them.

Program Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Discuss the latest research findings on the epidemiology of epilepsy in the elderly
Review the means by which seizures are produced and presented in geriatric patients to better understand which treatment is most appropriate
Discuss the special considerations that must be addressed regarding drug interactions in these patients
Discuss new data regarding the safety and tolerability of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments in this population

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the WVU School of Medicine and Scinexa. The WVU School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WVU Office of CME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours that he/she actually spent in the activity.

This program is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from UCB Pharma.

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