Epilepsy after stroke and trauma: Risk factors and management

Abstract

Post traumatic and post stroke epilepsies are the among the many and common etiologies for symptomatic epilepsies. There is an increasing incidence of traumatic brain injuries raising a major concern regarding the development of post –traumatic epilepsy Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important etiology of symptomatic epilepsy and also a potentially preventable cause of epilepsy It is clear that epilepsy is a frequent consequence of brain injury, even many years after the injury. However, several well-controlled studies have been unable to identify therapies that prevent the development of epilepsy after TBI. Post-traumatic epilepsy has significant implications for the affected individuals, family, and Society. Despite several interventions used to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy, the only proven‘ ‘intervention” to date is to prevent TBI from occurring. Post- stroke epilepsy is another common complication after stroke. With the increasing ageing population, the incidence and prevalence of post stroke seizure and post stroke epilepsy is likely to increase. It is unclear which treatments are effective and whether AEDs are needed for primary prevention.