Which of the following can lead to misinterpretation as epileptiform activity in older adults?

SREDA, or slow rhythmical delta activity, can be misleadingly interpreted as epileptiform activity in older adults due to its resemblance to certain patterns seen in seizures. In this demographic, SREDA may often be present as a result of age-related changes in the brain or other non-pathological factors such as sleep stages or variations in background activity.

When this slow activity is observed, it can mimic the characteristics of epileptiform activity, especially in contexts where the observer may expect to see seizure patterns. The presence of these rhythms, particularly in the frontal and temporal regions, can confuse interpreters who are not aware of the normal variations of slowed activity in older individuals.

Understanding SREDA is crucial for accurately reading EEGs in older adults and distinguishing between normal age-related brain activity and genuine pathological epileptiform discharges, which assists in preventing unnecessary medical interventions and clarifies the patient's neurological status.