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Exploring the relationship between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases
Sofía Lucila Rodríguez Rivera, Héctor R. Martínez, José Antonio Infante Cantú, Enrique Caro Osorio. Romanian Journal of Neurology, 2025-09-21
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background. Epilepsy is frequently observed as a comorbid condition across a broad spectrum of neurological disorders, including various neurodegenerative diseases. Aims. To explore the relationship between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods. This was an analytical, retrospective, observational, and longitudinal study. Inclusion criteria: patients with epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer disease, Down syndrome, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson disease, Lafora disease, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) from June to December 2024 at a tertiary private hospital. Study variables: age, gender, grade of dementia (Global Deterioration Scale), type of epilepsy, electroencephalogram abnormalities, alterations in magnetic resonance imaging, treatment, and evolution of epilepsy. Information was analyzed in SPSS software. Results. We selected 50 patients with epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. An association was found between severe grades of dementia and drug-resistant epilepsy, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion. A bidirectional relationship has been identified between dementia and epilepsy. Individuals diagnosed with dementing conditions, such as Alzheimer disease, exhibit a heightened risk of developing epilepsy. Conversely, those with epilepsy face a significantly elevated likelihood of subsequently developing dementia. This reciprocal association underscores the need for integrated research and clinical strategies to address both conditions concurrently.
Key findings
- Conversely, those with epilepsy face a significantly elevated likelihood of subsequently developing dementia.
Why it matters
This retrospective study of 50 patients found an association between severe dementia grades and drug-resistant epilepsy, and describes a bidirectional relationship between dementia and epilepsy. It does not test any treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Participants50
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 38/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Romanian Journal of Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Romanian Journal of Neurology: journal h-index 9 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 50 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 0 / 4 | Last-listed author Enrique Caro Osorio: h-index 1 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Tecnológico de Monterrey: institution h-index 289 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 38 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Rivera, S. L. R., Martínez, H. R., Cantú, J. A. I., & Osorio, E. C. (2025). Exploring the relationship between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. Romanian Journal of Neurology. https://doi.org/10.37897/rjn.2025.3.2
Vancouver
Rivera SLR, Martínez HR, Cantú JAI, Osorio EC. Exploring the relationship between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. Romanian Journal of Neurology. 2025. doi:10.37897/rjn.2025.3.2.
BibTeX
@article{rivera2025-01964e62,
author = {Rivera, Sofía Lucila Rodríguez and Martínez, Héctor R. and Cantú, José Antonio Infante and Osorio, Enrique Caro},
title = {{Exploring the relationship between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases}},
journal = {Romanian Journal of Neurology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.37897/rjn.2025.3.2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.37897/rjn.2025.3.2}
}