Risk of poststroke epilepsy low among young adults, reveals JAMA study

Following an ischemic stroke, the 5-year cumulative risk of PSE was 3.7%, and following an ICH, it was 7.6%. Following an ischemic stroke, PSE was linked to cortical involvement and an abrupt symptomatic seizure (less than seven days). Only cortical engagement was linked to PSE following ICH. Both scores had satisfactory calibration, with the C statistic for the SeLECT 2.0 risk score being 0.78 and the CAVE risk score being 0.83.

Overall, this research found that young persons with ischemic stroke or ICH had a comparatively low incidence of PSE, which peaked in the first year following the stroke. Existing risk scores can be utilized to accurately tell young patients about their risk of PSE and may be applied to patients who have had a stroke at an early age. For high-risk individuals, future clinical studies should examine the best main and secondary prophylactic measures.

Source:

Verburgt, E., Fellah, L., Ekker, M. S., Schellekens, M. M. I., Boot, E. M., Immens, M. H. M., van Alebeek, M. E., Brouwers, P. J. A. M., Arntz, R. M., van Dijk, G. W., Gons, R. A. R., van Uden, I. W. M., den Heijer, T., van Tuijl, J. H., de Laat, K. F., van Norden, A. G. W., Vermeer, S. E., van Zagten, M. S. G., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., … de Leeuw, F.-E. (2025). Risk of poststroke epilepsy among young adults with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage. JAMA Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.0465