Major depression is a risk factor for seizures in older adults

Dale C. Hesdorffer, W. Allen Hauser, John F. Annegers, Gregory Cascino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

377 Scopus citations

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that major depression meeting DSM-III-R criteria or medical therapies for depression increase the risk for unprovoked seizures. Major depression was associated with a sixfold increased risk for unprovoked seizures (95% CI, 1.56-22). The risk remained increased even when controlling for age, sex, length of medical follow-up, and medical therapies for depression. In the absence of known prior neurological insult, major depression is associated with an increased risk for unprovoked seizures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)246-249
Number of pages4
JournalAnnals of neurology
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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