Early-onset dementia rates higher in those with epilepsy, study finds

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By Olivia Bowthorpe

People with epilepsy may have an increased risk of developing dementia before the age of 65, according to a study using national health records in France and Sweden.

Those diagnosed with epilepsy in midlife appeared to have the greatest risk, with rates about six times higher for young-onset dementia than patients without the condition, although the absolute risk remained low.

Lead researcher, Dr Vincent Navarro, team leader at the Paris Brain Institute and researcher at Sorbonne University, said: “Previous studies have shown a link between epilepsy and late-onset dementia, but limited evidence was available about young-onset dementia.

"While these results show a strong relationship between epilepsy and young-onset dementia, it’s important to remember that absolute risk is low.”

The research, published in Neurology, included two analyses comparing people diagnosed with young-onset dementia with matched control participants in France and Sweden, and another that followed people in France for up to ten years.