Higher Prevalence of Epilepsy in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia Reveals New Insights

Recent research highlights a significant link between epilepsy and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), demonstrating that epileptic seizures are more prevalent in FTD patients than previously thought. Conducted by the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Oulu, this extensive study analyzed medical records from 12,490 patients across university hospitals in Kuopio and Oulu, spanning from 2010 to 2021. Among these, 245 individuals were diagnosed with FTD, and the findings revealed that epilepsy was substantially more common in this group compared to those with Alzheimer's disease or healthy controls.

The study found that epilepsy often appeared years before the formal diagnosis of dementia, with some FTD patients experiencing seizures up to ten years earlier. Over time, the prevalence of epilepsy in FTD patients increased, reaching approximately 11% five years after diagnosis. Notably, medications used to manage epilepsy were also more frequently prescribed to FTD patients, reinforcing the reliability of these findings.

Diagnosing epilepsy in FTD patients can be challenging because symptoms may resemble other behavioral or neurological features of the disease, leading to potential underdiagnosis and treatment delays. Recognizing and treating epilepsy early is crucial, as untreated seizures can significantly impair patient quality of life and functional abilities.

This research underscores the importance of considering epilepsy as a common comorbidity in FTD, prompting healthcare professionals to monitor for seizure activity more vigilantly. It also raises questions about shared underlying mechanisms between FTD and epilepsy, possibly involving alterations in brain electrical systems. The study’s findings could pave the way for improved management strategies and better understanding of the complex relationship between neurodegenerative disorders and seizure activity.

The study, published in JAMA Neurology, is part of a broader effort to integrate detailed clinical data with international registers, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at better diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases inclusive of comorbid conditions like epilepsy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-epilepsy-common-patients-frontotemporal-dementia.html