2026 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

To characterize mental health and cognitive metrics among people with epilepsy (PWE) compared to the general population.

Background:

PWE tend to have poorer mental health and cognitive function, yet the extent of these differences as compared to the general population is not fully known.

Design/Methods:

We conducted cross-sectional analyses using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Questionnaire (NHANES) Data 2013-2018. Adult PWE taking ≥1 anti-seizure medication(s) were compared with age-, gender- and race/ethnicity-matched controls. We analyzed responses to the PHQ-9, Sleep, Disability, and Physical Functioning questionnaires.

Results:

We identified 150 PWE and 6750 matched controls (50% male, median age=53.00), with no significant racial or ethnic differences (p=1). More PWE saw a mental health professional in the last year (24.7% vs. 9.7%, p<0.001). Fewer PWE answered “Not at all” to PHQ-9 questions compared to controls (7.3% vs. 17%) while more endorsed “Nearly every day” for: Having little interest (12.8% vs. 4.6%), Feeling down (7.7% vs. 3.8), Trouble sleeping (23.1% vs. 9.6%), Tired/low energy (23.9% vs. 8.9%), Difficulty concentrating (10.3% vs. 3.3%, p<0.05). More PWE reported daytime sleepiness (38.1% vs. 26.4%), sleeping ≥12 hours (5.7% vs. 0.6%) and difficulty sleeping (44.7% vs. 29.9%)(p<0.006). More PWE had difficulties with cognition (54.5% vs. 16.9%), concentrating (46.7% vs. 11.5%), hearing (16.7% vs. 9.4%), seeing (16.7% vs. 7.3%), dressing/bathing (24.7% vs. 6.6%), doing errands alone (38.7% vs. 9.3%), managing money (38.3% vs. 13.7%), attending social events (39.9% vs. 21.7%), and doing leisure activities at home (18.6% vs. 10.8%)(p<0.001). More PWE reported physical, mental or emotional problems that prevented them from working (59.0% vs. 18.1%) or limited the kind or amount of work they could perform (67.4% vs. 26.2%)(p<0.001).

Conclusions:

PWE scored lower on mental health and cognitive questionnaires than controls, highlighting the multi-dimensional impact of epilepsy on patients’ lives.