Research conducted at the University of Minnesota, funded by National Institutes of Health, has shown that epilepsy is much more common in seniors than in younger persons. About 1.5 percent of Medicare recipients and one out of ten persons in nursing homes are being treated with drugs used to control seizures (antiepileptic drugs). Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that leads to seizures, also known as convulsions or Grand Mal seizures. Unfortunately, there is much misunderstanding about epilepsy and persons with this condition are often stigmatized. Epilepsy can be caused by any condition that affects the brain. The most common cause of epilepsy in seniors is stroke, with about one in five persons who survive a stroke developing epilepsy. Brain injury from falls or car accidents, Alzheimer’s, brain tumor and other problems may also cause epilepsy. The chance of getting epilepsy increases with age and seniors are three to 12 times more likely to get epilepsy than persons younger than 65.

Fortunately, drugs used correctly can completely control epilepsy in many persons. But proper use of drugs used to prevent seizures can be tricky, especially in seniors. Very little is known about how these drugs work in seniors. A team of researchers, led by Ilo E. Leppik, MD at the University of Minnesota is working to understand how these drugs work in older persons. This research is funded by the U.S. government and is studying the most commonly used drugs.  Payment of $250 to volunteers for completion of studies is included.

The Minnesota Senior Federation is working with researchers to help find persons who can be involved in these studies.

Specifically, they’re seeking females, 65 years or older, who are taking generic carbamazepine, Tegretol¨ or Carbatrol¨; males or females 65 years or older who are taking generic valproic acid or Depakote¨; females 75 years or older or males 90 years or older who take generic phenytoin or Dilantin¨; and males or females 18-50 or 65 years and older who take lamotrigine (Lamictal¨).

If you or someone you know fits within one of these categories and wants to learn more about these studies, call John Rarick, at 612/626-2170.