In the United States, there are approximately 2.5 million people living with epilepsy. The incidence of epilepsy ranges between 125,000 and 181,000 new cases per year and is the second most common neurologic syndrome seen by physicians. Total annual epilepsy-associated costs in the United States have been estimated at $12.5 billion.

Epilepsy and the effects of seizures impact patient segments in distinctive ways. Because epilepsy can present itself at any age and is a nondiscriminant disorder, unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges exist that depend on gender, age, and other determining factors. Epidemiologic studies of several populations have found that the incidence of seizures, epilepsy, or both is high within the first few years of life, stabilizes over the second through fifth decades, and then rises again in late adulthood.

Evaluative and technologic tools for diagnosing and treating epilepsy are developing rapidly. However, when selecting antiepileptic drug (AED) therapies, clinicians still do not readily recognize the impact of AED selection as their patient progresses from childhood into late adulthood. A more in-depth understanding of the unique age-specific and gender-specific considerations and variations among AEDs could benefit the management of epilepsy for multiple patient populations. A clear need exists for education on management and treatment strategies for these patient populations so that clinicians may confidently and effectively intervene and improve the quality of life for the patient with epilepsy across a lifetime.