There are no large scale studies on Epilepsy in populations with Learning disability in Ireland. As many as one fifth of these clients have epilepsy. Aggressive treatment may lead to diminishing returns in terms of symptomatic control, while causing unwanted effects.

1. 1. We aimed to quantify rates of epilepsy, aetiology and anti- epileptic drug (AED) use in our population.

2. 2. To look at degree of disability and correlation with AED use.

3. 3. To look at management/ quality of life issues using a validated instrument.

:

1. 1. Medline review using search terms Intellectual OR Learning difficult* OR Mental Retard* AND Epilepsy.

2. 2. Simple questionnaire used to identify all clients with Epilepsy. Database analysed using SPSS analysis.

3. 3. 11 cases selected for review looking at qualitative aspects, using Semi structured interview and GEOS scale.

1. · 210 patients found to have a history of epilepsy (42% of clients).

2. · Multiple Aetiologies identified. Commonest known Aetiology: Trisomy 21.

3. · Polypharmacy is common. Most commonly used AED: Sodium Valproate. Mean AED use: 1.595 (SD+- 1.077).

4. · Clients with Trisomy 21 aged less than 40 tended to be on more medication (2.05, SD= +-1.38) than those over 40 years (1.43, SD= +- 0.89)

5. · Greater concerns on qualitative measures regarding clients with refractory epilepsy or where epilepsy changed over time.

Our study highlights previously recognised changing patterns in aetiology of Learning Disability and also the changes over time in these clients. More study is required.