Rapidly progressive cognitive impairment with neuropsychiatric symptoms as the initial manifestation of status epilepticus

We present two cases with sub-acute cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders (including anxiety and transient behavioral changes) as their first manifestation of NCSE. A neuropsychological profile diagnosed executive dysfunction; in addition, neurology examination revealed automatisms and 24-hour video EEG showed epileptiform activity. Although neuroimaging studies showed fronto-temporal abnormalities, neurophysiological and cognitive improvement after specific antiseizure drug treatment confirmed the diagnosis of non-convulsive status. Some theoretical considerations between mentally changes and focal epilepsy will be reviewed. Our cases raise awareness of the importance of considering NCSE, a treatable condition, in the differential of rapidly-progressive dementia with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Source: Epilepsy and Behavior Case Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research