Seizures and myoclonus in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Hauser, W. Allen
Morris, Marcia L.
Heston, Leonard L.
Anderson, V. Elving

Sergievsky Center (Dr. Hauser), Columbia University, New York, NY; and the Department of Psychiatry (Dr. Heston) and the Dight Institute of Human Genetics (Drs. Morris and Anderson), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: MN.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Hauser, Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032.

Supported in part by the Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, 1P50-NS-16308.

Accepted for publication January 13, 1986.

Neurology 36(9):p 1226-1230, September 1986.

Article abstract

We reviewed 81 patients with dementia and autopsy findings of Alzheimer's disease (AD) to identify patients with seizures or myoclonus after onset of dementia. Eight (10%) had seizures, and eight others (10%) had myoclonus. The incidence of seizures was 10 times more than expected in a reference population. Seizures occurred in any stage of AD, but myoclonus was often a late manifestation. Both seizures and myoclonus, individually or together, are manifestations of AD and may be seen at any time in the course of the illness.