COVID-19 Infection Associated with Higher Incidence and Risk of Seizures and Epilepsy

According to a study published in Neurology, individuals who have had COVID-19 infection were more likely to experience new seizures or be newly diagnosed with epilepsy over 6 months following infection compared with those infected with influenza. Researchers found a stronger association between the relative risk of being diagnosed with epilepsy after COVID-19 infection in two populations: 1) those < 16 years and 2) in those who were not hospitalized. Authors of the study caution that although a significant association between the relative risk of developing seizures and epilepsy following COVID-19 infection was found in this study, the absolute risk of developing these conditions was low (< 1% of those infected with COVID-19).

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from electronic health care records from the TriNetX Analytics network. Researchers matched records into two cohorts based on baseline characteristics including a COVID-19 or influenza diagnosis confirmed between January 20, 2020 and May 31, 2021, excluding records of those with a previous diagnosis of epilepsy or history of seizures. The follow-up period ended on August 24, 2021, and participants had to be alive during that period. The primary outcome was the 6-month incidence of the composite endpoint of epilepsy or seizures or either diagnosis separately. Data were stratified by age (pediatric vs adults) and whether participants were hospitalized during the infection.

Researchers speculate in their discussion to the study that, “COVID-19 may impair neurologic function through effects on brain endothelial cells, inflammation, cytokine storm, and other mechanisms.”