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Ribeiro RM, da Silveira EP, Santos VC, Teixeira LL, Santos GS, Galvão IN, Hamoy MKO, da Silva Tiago AC, de Araújo DB, Muto NA, Lopes DCF, Hamoy M. Dexamethasone attenuates low-frequency brainwave disturbances following acute seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol in Wistar rats. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 139:104921. [PMID: 39096892 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Seizures are neurological disorders triggered by an imbalance in the activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. When triggered chronically, this imbalance can lead to epilepsy. Critically, many of the affected individuals are refractory to treatment. Given this, anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular glucocorticoids, have been considered as a potential antiepileptogenic therapy. Glucocorticoids are currently used in the treatment of refractory patients, although there have been contradictory results in terms of their use in association with antiepileptic drugs, which reinforces the need for a more thorough investigation of their effects. In this context, the present study evaluated the effects of dexamethasone (DEX, 0.6 mg/kg) on the electroencephalographic (EEG) and histopathological parameters of male Wistar rats submitted to acute seizure induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). The EEG monitoring revealed that DEX reduced the total brainwave power, in comparison with PTZ, in 12 h after the convulsive episode, exerting this effect in up to 36 h (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). An increase in the accommodation of the oscillations of the delta, alpha, and gamma frequencies was also observed from the first 12 h onwards, with the accommodation of the theta frequency occurring after 36 h, and that of the beta frequency 24 h after the seizure. The histopathological analyses showed that the CA3 region and hilum of the hippocampus suffered cell loss after the PTZ-induced seizure (control vs. PTZ, p < 0.05), although DEX was not able to protect these regions against cell death (PTZ vs. DEX + PTZ, p > 0.05). While DEX did not reverse the cell damage caused by PTZ, the data indicate that DEX has beneficial properties in the EEG analysis, which makes it a promising candidate for the attenuation of the epileptiform wave patterns that can precipitate refractory seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaella Marques Ribeiro
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Esther Padilha da Silveira
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Rua dos Munducurus, 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Vitoria Corrêa Santos
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Rua dos Munducurus, 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Leonan Lima Teixeira
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Rua dos Munducurus, 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Gisely Santiago Santos
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Izabela Nascimento Galvão
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Maria Klara Otake Hamoy
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Allan Carlos da Silva Tiago
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Daniella Bastos de Araújo
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Nilton Akio Muto
- Centre for the Valorization of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA), Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Dielly Catrina Favacho Lopes
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Rua dos Munducurus, 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Moisés Hamoy
- Laboratory of the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil.
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Bower MR. Review: seizure-related consolidation and the network theory of epilepsy. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 4:1430934. [PMID: 39238837 PMCID: PMC11374659 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2024.1430934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a complex, multifaceted disease that affects patients in several ways in addition to seizures, including psychological, social, and quality of life issues, but epilepsy is also known to interact with sleep. Seizures often occur at the boundary between sleep and wake, patients with epilepsy often experience disrupted sleep, and the rate of inter-ictal epileptiform discharges increases during non-REM sleep. The Network Theory of Epilepsy did not address a role for sleep, but recent emphasis on the interaction between epilepsy and sleep suggests that post-seizure sleep may also be involved in the process by which seizures arise and become more severe with time ("epileptogenesis") by co-opting processes related to the formation of long-term memories. While it is generally acknowledged that recurrent seizures arise from the aberrant function of neural circuits, it is possible that the progression of epilepsy is aided by normal, physiological function of neural circuits during sleep that are driven by pathological signals. Studies recording multiple, single neurons prior to spontaneous seizures have shown that neural assemblies activated prior to the start of seizures were reactivated during post-seizure sleep, similar to the reactivation of behavioral neural assemblies, which is thought to be involved in the formation of long-term memories, a process known as Memory Consolidation. The reactivation of seizure-related neural assemblies during sleep was thus described as being a component of Seizure-Related Consolidation (SRC). These results further suggest that SRC may viewed as a network-related aspect of epilepsy, even in those seizures that have anatomically restricted neuroanatomical origins. As suggested by the Network Theory of Epilepsy as a means of interfering with ictogenesis, therapies that interfered with SRC may provide some anti-epileptogenic therapeutic benefit, even if the interference targeted structures that were not involved originally in the seizure. Here, we show how the Network Theory of Epilepsy can be expanded to include neural plasticity mechanisms associated with learning by providing an overview of Memory Consolidation, the mechanisms thought to underlie MC, their relation to Seizure-Related Consolidation, and suggesting novel, anti-epileptogenic therapies targeting interference with network activation in epilepsy following seizures during post-seizure sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Bower
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Rider F, Turchinets A, Druzhkova T, Kustov G, Guekht A, Gulyaeva N. Dissimilar Changes in Serum Cortisol after Epileptic and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: A Promising Biomarker in the Differential Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Events? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7387. [PMID: 39000494 PMCID: PMC11242564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. Epileptic seizures (ESs) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNESs) are frequently differentially misdiagnosed. This study aimed to evaluate changes in serum cortisol and prolactin levels after ESs and PNESs as possible differential diagnostic biomarkers. Patients over 18 years with ESs (n = 29) and PNESs with motor manifestations (n = 45), captured on video-EEG monitoring, were included. Serum cortisol and prolactin levels as well as hemograms were assessed in blood samples taken at admission, during the first hour after the seizure, and after 6, 12, and 24 h. Cortisol and prolactine response were evident in the ES group (but not the PNES group) as an acute significant increase within the first hour after seizure. The occurrence of seizures in patients with ESs and PNESs demonstrated different circadian patterns. ROC analysis confirmed the accuracy of discrimination between paroxysmal events based on cortisol response: the AUC equals 0.865, with a prediction accuracy at the cutoff point of 376.5 nmol/L 0.811 (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 72.4%). Thus, assessments of acute serum cortisol response to a paroxysmal event may be regarded as a simple, fast, and minimally invasive laboratory test contributing to differential diagnosis of ESs and PNESs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Rider
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Alexander Turchinets
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Tatyana Druzhkova
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Georgii Kustov
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Alla Guekht
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Natalia Gulyaeva
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
- Laboratory of Functional Biochemistry of Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117485, Russia
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Cano-López I, Catalán-Aguilar J, Lozano-García A, Hidalgo V, Hampel KG, Tormos-Pons P, Salvador A, Villanueva V, González-Bono E. Cognitive phenotypes in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy: Relationships with cortisol and affectivity. Clin Neuropsychol 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38965831 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2024.2375605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a neurological disorder characterized by cognitive deficits. This study examined whether patients with TLE and different cognitive phenotypes differ in cortisol levels and affectivity while controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 79 adults with TLE underwent neuropsychological evaluation in which memory, language, attention/processing speed, executive function, and affectivity were assessed. Six saliva samples were collected in the afternoon to examine the ability of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to descend according to the circadian rhythm (C1 to C6). The cortisol area under the curve concerning ground (AUCg) was computed to examine global cortisol secretion. RESULTS Three cognitive phenotypes were identified: memory impairment, generalized impairment, and no impairment. The memory-impairment phenotype showed higher cortisol levels at C4, C5, and C6 than the other groups (p = 0.03, η2 = 0.06), higher cortisol AUCg than the generalized-impairment phenotype (p = 0.004, η2 = 0.14), and a significant reduction in positive affectivity after the evaluation (p = 0.026, η2 = 0.11). Higher cortisol AUCg and reductions in positive affectivity were significant predictors of the memory-impairment phenotype (p < 0.001; Cox and Snell R2 = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS Patients with memory impairment had a slower decline in cortisol levels in the afternoon, which could be interpreted as an inability of the HPA axis to inhibit itself. Thus, chronic stress may influence hippocampus-dependent cognitive function more than other cognitive functions in patients with TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cano-López
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (IDOCAL)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (IDOCAL)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lozano-García
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vanesa Hidalgo
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Area of Psychobiology, Social and Human Sciences Center, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Tormos-Pons
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (IDOCAL)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Salvador
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (IDOCAL)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (IDOCAL)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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Zhu H, Wang W, Li Y. The interplay between microbiota and brain-gut axis in epilepsy treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1276551. [PMID: 38344171 PMCID: PMC10853364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1276551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain-gut axis plays a vital role in connecting the cognitive and emotional centers of the brain with the intricate workings of the intestines. An imbalance in the microbiota-mediated brain-gut axis extends far beyond conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and obesity, playing a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders, including epilepsy, depression, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Epilepsy, a brain disorder characterized by unprovoked seizures, affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests that rebuilding the gut microbiota through interventions such as fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, and ketogenic diets (KD) can benefit drug-resistant epilepsy. The disturbances in the gut microbiota could contribute to the toxic side effects of antiepileptic drugs and the development of drug resistance in epilepsy patients. These findings imply the potential impact of the gut microbiota on epilepsy and suggest that interventions targeting the microbiota, such as the KD, hold promise for managing and treating epilepsy. However, the full extent of the importance of microbiota in epilepsy treatment is not yet fully understood, and many aspects of this field remain unclear. Therefore, this article aims to provide an overview of the clinical and animal evidence supporting the regulatory role of gut microbiota in epilepsy, and of potential pathways within the brain-gut axis that may be influenced by the gut microbiota in epilepsy. Furthermore, we will discuss the recent advancements in epilepsy treatment, including the KD, fecal microbiota transplantation, and antiseizure drugs, all from the perspective of the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
- Clinical Medical School, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
- Clinical Medical School, Dali University, Dali, China
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Daniels SD, Boison D. Bipolar mania and epilepsy pathophysiology and treatment may converge in purine metabolism: A new perspective on available evidence. Neuropharmacology 2023; 241:109756. [PMID: 37820933 PMCID: PMC10841508 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Decreased ATPergic signaling is an increasingly recognized pathophysiology in bipolar mania disease models. In parallel, adenosine deficit is increasingly recognized in epilepsy pathophysiology. Under-recognized ATP and/or adenosine-increasing mechanisms of several antimanic and antiseizure therapies including lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, and ECT suggest a fundamental pathogenic role of adenosine deficit in bipolar mania to match the established role of adenosine deficit in epilepsy. The depletion of adenosine-derivatives within the purine cycle is expected to result in a compensatory increase in oxopurines (uric acid precursors) and secondarily increased uric acid, observed in both bipolar mania and epilepsy. Cortisol-based inhibition of purine conversion to adenosine-derivatives may be reflected in observed uric acid increases and the well-established contribution of cortisol to both bipolar mania and epilepsy pathology. Cortisol-inhibited conversion from IMP to AMP as precursor of both ATP and adenosine may represent a mechanism for treatment resistance common in both bipolar mania and epilepsy. Anti-cortisol therapies may therefore augment other treatments both in bipolar mania and epilepsy. Evidence linking (i) adenosine deficit with a decreased need for sleep, (ii) IMP/cGMP excess with compulsive hypersexuality, and (iii) guanosine excess with grandiose delusions may converge to suggest a novel theory of bipolar mania as a condition characterized by disrupted purine metabolism. The potential for disease-modification and prevention related to adenosine-mediated epigenetic changes in epilepsy may be mirrored in mania. Evaluating the purinergic effects of existing agents and validating purine dysregulation may improve diagnosis and treatment in bipolar mania and epilepsy and provide specific targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Daniels
- Hutchings Psychiatric Center, New York State Office of Mental Health, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Detlev Boison
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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Molteberg E, Thorsby PM, Kverneland M, Iversen PO, Selmer KK, Hofoss D, Nakken KO, Taubøll E. Stress biomarkers in adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy on a modified Atkins diet: A prospective study. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1331-1339. [PMID: 37574592 PMCID: PMC10690645 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ketogenic diets like the modified Atkins diet (MAD) are increasingly used in patients with refractory epilepsy. For epilepsy patients, stress is a well-known seizure-precipitating factor. New possibilities for measuring biomarkers of stress are now available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of MAD on endocrine stress biomarkers. METHODS Forty-nine patients with drug-resistant epilepsy were investigated at baseline and after 12 weeks on MAD. Cortisol and cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) were measured and free cortisol index (FCI) calculated. We also measured metanephrine, normetanephrine, and methoxytyramine, all markers of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, respectively. Changes were analyzed according to sex and antiseizure medications. The different markers at baseline and after 12 weeks of MAD treatment were correlated with seizure frequency and weight loss, respectively. RESULTS The change in total cortisol was modest after 12 weeks on the diet (from 432.9 nmol/L (403.1-462.7)) to 422.6 nmol/L (384.6-461.0), P = 0.6). FCI was reduced (from 0.39 (0.36-0.42) to 0.34 (0.31-0.36), P = 0.001). CBG increased during the study (from 1126.4 nmol/L (1074.5-1178.3) to 1272.5 nmol/L (1206.3-1338.7), P < 0.001). There were no changes in the metanephrines after 12 weeks on the diet. The decrease in FCI was significant only in women, and only observed in patients using nonenzyme-inducing ASMs. We did not find any correlation between cortisol, CBG, or FCI levels and seizure frequency. SIGNIFICANCE After being on MAD for 12 weeks, FCI decreased significantly. The reduction in FCI may reflect reduced stress, but it may also be an effect of increased CBG. The reasons behind these alterations are unknown. Possibly, the changes may be a result of a reduction in insulin resistance and thyroid hormone levels. Treatment with MAD does not seem to influence "fight or flight" hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Molteberg
- National Centre for EpilepsyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Per M Thorsby
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Hormone Laboratory, Dep of Medical Biochemistry and Biochemical endocrinology and metabolism research groupOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | | | - Per Ole Iversen
- Department of NutritionUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of HaematologyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Kaja K Selmer
- National Centre for EpilepsyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Research and Innovation, Division of Clinical NeuroscienceOslo University Hospital and the University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Dag Hofoss
- National Centre for EpilepsyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Karl O Nakken
- National Centre for EpilepsyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Erik Taubøll
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of NeurologyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
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Mohamed AR. Using Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up with young children with developmental delays: A multiple-baseline trial of attachment, sensitivity, and cortisol. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES : JOID 2023; 27:847-870. [PMID: 35648732 PMCID: PMC10647892 DOI: 10.1177/17446295221104614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Attachment and Biobehavioral Catchup intervention potentially offsets psychosocial risks facing dyads in which children have intellectual disability or developmental delays. In this single-case multiple-baseline study the efficacy of this intervention was tested across three such South African families. Maternal sensitivity, attachment security, and child affect regulation were measured weekly during a baseline and intervention period, using the Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scales, Attachment Q-sort and salivary cortisol, respectively. Furthermore, post-intervention interviews invited parents' and intervenors' evaluations of the intervention. Visual analysis broadly indicated improvement in maternal sensitivity and attachment security across subjects over time following the introduction of the intervention, although randomisation tests were not statistically significant. Effects on affect regulation were not clearly observed and may have been influenced by case-specific variables. Parent-participants and intervenors also identified particularly helpful contributions from the intervention. Findings underscore the importance of individual-level effects evaluation, especially when implementing interventions outside the original population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Riaz Mohamed
- Ahmed Riaz Mohamed, Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Shpak AA, Rider FK, Druzhkova TA, Zhanina MY, Popova SB, Guekht AB, Gulyaeva NV. Reduced Levels of Lacrimal Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in Patients with Focal Epilepsy and Focal Epilepsy with Comorbid Depression: A Biomarker Candidate. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16818. [PMID: 38069144 PMCID: PMC10705972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies showed that in patients with brain diseases, neurotrophic factors in lacrimal fluid (LF) may change more prominently than in blood serum (BS). Since glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is involved in the control of neuronal networks in an epileptic brain, we aimed to assess the GDNF levels in LF and BS as well as the BDNF and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and inflammation indices in BS of patients with focal epilepsy (FE) and epilepsy and comorbid depression (FE + MDD) and to compare them with those of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC). GDNF levels in BS were similar in patients and HC and higher in FE taking valproates. GDNF levels in LF were significantly lower in all patient groups compared to controls, and independent of drugs used. GDNF concentrations in LF and BS positively correlated in HC, but not in patient groups. BDNF level was lower in BS of patients compared with HC and higher in FE + MDD taking valproates. A reduction in the GDNF level in LF might be an important biomarker of FE. Logistic regression models demonstrated that the probability of FE can be evaluated using GDNF in LF and BDNF in BS; that of MDD using GDNF in LF and cortisol and TNF-α in BS; and that of epilepsy with MDD using GDNF in LF and TNF-α and BDNF in BS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Shpak
- The S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, 127486 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
| | - Flora K. Rider
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
| | - Tatiana A. Druzhkova
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
| | - Marina Y. Zhanina
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117465 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sofya B. Popova
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
| | - Alla B. Guekht
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
| | - Natalia V. Gulyaeva
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia; (F.K.R.); (T.A.D.); (M.Y.Z.); (S.B.P.); (A.B.G.)
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117465 Moscow, Russia
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Doerr JM, Juenemann M, Hakel L, Schmidt L, Menzler K, Krause K, Linka L, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Knake S. Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on stress-reactive neuroendocrine measures in a sample of persons with temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1013-1020. [PMID: 37310988 PMCID: PMC10472404 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dysregulation of stress-reactive neuroendocrine measures, as well as subjective stress, have been found to worsen epilepsy. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a relatively new treatment option for epilepsy. We were interested in its effect on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS) as well as subjective stress and tiredness in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS Twenty patients (age 44 ± 11 years, 13 women) were enrolled in the study. They were free of seizures for more than 1 year. All took part in two sessions with 4 h of stimulation (tVNS vs. sham) in a randomized order. Saliva samples and subjective stress and tiredness levels were measured at five time points each session (before and after stimulation and three time points every hour in between). Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance as well as paired t-tests. RESULTS There was a dampened salivary cortisol (sCort) decrease during tVNS (time × condition effect: F[2.38, 38.15] = 6.50, P = 0.002, partial η2 = 0.29). Furthermore, we detected a dampened increase in salivary flow rate during tVNS (time × condition effect: F[3.28, 55.67] = 2.82, P = 0.043, partial η2 = 0.14). There was neither a difference in overall sCort or salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels nor in subjective stress or tiredness levels between conditions. sAA levels at the last measurement point were slightly higher during tVNS (t(19) = 2.26, P = 0.035, d = 0.51), but this effect failed to reach significance when controlled for multiple comparisons. SIGNIFICANCE Our results partially support that tVNS influences the regulation of stress-reactive neuroendocrine systems (namely the HPA axis and ANS) in epilepsy. More research with larger samples is needed on the difference between short-term and repeated long-term stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M. Doerr
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Gießen and MarburgGießenGermany
| | - Martin Juenemann
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Gießen and MarburgGießenGermany
| | - Lukas Hakel
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Katja Menzler
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Kristina Krause
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Louise Linka
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of PsychologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of PsychologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Susanne Knake
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
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11
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Mengoli M, Conti G, Fabbrini M, Candela M, Brigidi P, Turroni S, Barone M. Microbiota-gut-brain axis and ketogenic diet: how close are we to tackling epilepsy? MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:32. [PMID: 38045924 PMCID: PMC10688818 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The microbiota-gut-brain axis refers to the intricate bidirectional communication between commensal microorganisms residing in the digestive tract and the central nervous system, along neuroendocrine, metabolic, immune, and inflammatory pathways. This axis has been suggested to play a role in several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, paving the way for microbiome-based intervention strategies for the mitigation and treatment of symptoms. Epilepsy is a multifaceted neurological condition affecting more than 50 million individuals worldwide, 30% of whom do not respond to conventional pharmacological therapies. Among the first-hand microbiota modulation strategies, nutritional interventions represent an easily applicable option in both clinical and home settings. In this narrative review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis involvement in epilepsy, discuss the impact of antiepileptic drugs on the gut microbiome, and then the impact of a particular dietary pattern, the ketogenic diet, on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in epileptic patients. The investigation of the microbiota response to non-pharmacological therapies is an ever-expanding field with the potential to allow the design of increasingly accessible and successful intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Mengoli
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Gabriele Conti
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Marco Fabbrini
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Marco Candela
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Patrizia Brigidi
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Silvia Turroni
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Monica Barone
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
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12
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Alhejaili R, Alomainy A. The Use of Wearable Technology in Providing Assistive Solutions for Mental Well-Being. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7378. [PMID: 37687834 PMCID: PMC10490605 DOI: 10.3390/s23177378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of this manuscript is to provide an extensive literature review and analysis of certain biomarkers, which are frequently used to identify stress, anxiety, and other emotions, leading to potential solutions for the monitoring of mental wellness using wearable technologies. It is possible to see the impacts of several biomarkers in detecting stress levels and their effectiveness with an investigation into the literature on this subject. Biofeedback training has demonstrated some psychological effects, such as a reduction in anxiety and self-control enhancement. This survey demonstrates backed up by evidence that wearable devices are assistive in providing health and mental wellness solutions. Because physical activity tracing would reduce the stress stressors, which affect the subject's body, therefore, it would also affect the mental activity and would lead to a reduction in cognitive mental load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reham Alhejaili
- School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23218, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akram Alomainy
- Antennas and Electromagnetics Research Group, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
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Catalán-Aguilar J, González-Bono E, Lozano-García A, Tormos-Pons P, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, Cano-López I. Stress phenotypes in epilepsy: impact on cognitive functioning and quality of life. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1100101. [PMID: 37388654 PMCID: PMC10300421 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Drug-resistant epilepsy has been proposed as a chronic stress model. Stress can be measured in terms of chronicity (epilepsy duration) and intensity (comorbidities), with depression and anxiety among the most important comorbidities in epilepsy due to its prevalence and its relationship with cognitive functioning and quality of life. This study aims to establish phenotypes according to how patients face a stressful condition (epilepsy) and examine differences in cognition and quality of life depending on these phenotypes. We hypothesize that there will be an interrelationship between epilepsy duration and negative affectivity, and these variables will influence cognition and quality of life. Methods 170 patients (82 men and 88 women) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation in which trait anxiety, depression, attention and executive function, verbal and visual memory, language, emotional recognition, and quality of life were assessed. Hierarchical clustering was performed using z-scores for three variables: trait anxiety; depression; and epilepsy duration. Results Three clusters were found: vulnerable (high negative affectivity and short duration); resilient (moderate negative affectivity and long duration); and low-impact group (low negative affectivity and short duration). Results show that the vulnerable group had poorer cognitive functioning and quality of life than the other groups. Specifically, the vulnerable group had poorer scores than the low-impact group on verbal memory, visual confrontation naming, and quality of life (except seizure worry). Furthermore, resilient patients had better scores than the low-impact group on cognitive flexibility variables, but lower scores on some quality-of-life subscales (i.e., overall quality of life, emotional well-being, and energy). Finally, the vulnerable group had poorer scores than the resilient group in executive functioning, naming, and quality of life. Discussion These results suggest that dealing with stress in patients with epilepsy is related to cognitive performance and quality of life. These findings underline the relevance of considering comorbidities in epilepsy and may be useful for detecting vulnerable or resilient profiles as risk or protective factors for cognitive and quality of life decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lozano-García
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Tormos-Pons
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cano-López
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
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14
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Cano-López I, Lozano-García A, Catalán-Aguilar J, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, González-Bono E. The relationship between memory and quality of life is mediated by trait anxiety in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Qual Life Res 2023; 32:739-747. [PMID: 36418526 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Memory deficits are very frequent in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, but they predict a small proportion of variance of their quality of life (QOL) in previous studies, possibly due to the lack of consideration of mediating factors of this relationship. This study aimed to examine whether trait anxiety mediates the relationship between memory and QOL in this population, controlling the influence of demographic and seizure-related factors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 119 adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, in which memory, anxiety, and QOL were assessed. RESULTS In the total sample, better delayed memory had an effect on better QOL indirectly through lower trait anxiety (B = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p = 0.04, abcs = 0.13; κ2 = 0.18; PMind = 0.76). Additionally, delayed memory has not a direct association with QOL (B = 0.04, SE = 0.09, p = 0.64, Cohen's f 2 = 0.005; PMdir = 0.24), and the total effect of delayed memory on QOL tended to reach statistical significance (B = 0.17, SE = 0.10, p = 0.08). The proposed mediation model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, SRMR = 0.009, and χ2 (1) = 0.50, p = 0.48) and explained 38% of the variance of QOL. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that trait anxiety is an important factor in understanding the relationship between memory and QOL in patients with TLE, considering the influence of demographic and seizure-related variables, and may have relevant implications for decision-making in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cano-López
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, C/Pintor Sorolla, 21, 46002, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Lozano-García
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit. Neurology Service. Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur, S/N Carretera de Malilla, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit. Neurology Service. Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur, S/N Carretera de Malilla, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
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15
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Vega JL, Komisaruk BR, Stewart M. Hiding in plain sight? A review of post-convulsive leukocyte elevations. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1021042. [PMID: 36408527 PMCID: PMC9666487 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1021042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
During physiological stress responses such as vigorous exercise, emotional states of fear and rage, and asphyxia, the nervous system induces a massive release of systemic catecholamines that prepares the body for survival by increasing cardiac output and redirecting blood flow from non-essential organs into the cardiopulmonary circulation. A curious byproduct of this vital response is a sudden, transient, and redistributive leukocytosis provoked mostly by the resultant shear forces exerted by rapid blood flow on marginated leukocytes. Generalized convulsive seizures, too, result in catecholamine surges accompanied by similar leukocytoses, the magnitude of which appears to be rooted in semiological factors such as convulsive duration and intensity. This manuscript reviews the history, kinetics, physiology, and clinical significance of post-convulsive leukocyte elevations and discusses their clinical utility, including a proposed role in the scientific investigation of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Vega
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ, United States,TeleNeurologia SAS, Medellin, Colombia,*Correspondence: Jose L. Vega
| | - Barry R. Komisaruk
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Mark Stewart
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
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16
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Druzhkova TA, Yakovlev AA, Rider FK, Zinchuk MS, Guekht AB, Gulyaeva NV. Elevated Serum Cortisol Levels in Patients with Focal Epilepsy, Depression, and Comorbid Epilepsy and Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810414. [PMID: 36142325 PMCID: PMC9499608 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, inflammatory processes and neurotrophic factor systems are involved in pathogenesis of both epilepsy and depressive disorders. The study aimed to explore these systems in patients with focal epilepsy (PWE, n = 76), epilepsy and comorbid depression (PWCED n = 48), and major depressive disorder (PWMDD, n = 62) compared with healthy controls (HC, n = 78). Methods: Parameters of the HPA axis, neurotrophic factors, and TNF-α were measured in blood serum along with the hemogram. Results: Serum cortisol level was augmented in PWE, PWCED, and PWMDD compared with HC and was higher in PWMDD than in PWE. Serum cortisol negatively correlated with Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in PWE, and positively with depression inventory–II (BDI-II) score in PWMDD. Only PWMDD demonstrated elevated plasma ACTH. Serum TNF-α, lymphocytes, and eosinophils were augmented in PWMDD; monocytes elevated in PWE and PWCED, while neutrophils were reduced in PWE and PWMDD. Serum BDNF was decreased in PWE and PWCED, CNTF was elevated in all groups of patients. In PWE, none of above indices depended on epilepsy etiology. Conclusions: The results confirm the involvement of HPA axis and inflammatory processes in pathogenesis of epilepsy and depression and provide new insights in mechanisms of epilepsy and depression comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana A. Druzhkova
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A. Yakovlev
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia
| | - Flora K. Rider
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail S. Zinchuk
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alla B. Guekht
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia V. Gulyaeva
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
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17
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Nunes MJ, Moura JJG, Noronha JP, Branco LC, Samhan-Arias A, Sousa JP, Rouco C, Cordas CM. Evaluation of Sweat-Sampling Procedures for Human Stress-Biomarker Detection. ANALYTICA 2022; 3:178-194. [DOI: 10.3390/analytica3020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sweat is a potential biological fluid for the non-invasive analytical assessment of diverse molecules, including biomarkers. Notwithstanding, the sampling methodology is critical, and it must be assessed prior to using sweat for clinical diagnosis. In the current work, the analytical methodology was further developed taking into account the sampling step, in view of the identification and level variations of sweat components that have potential to be stress biomarkers using separation by liquid chromatography and detection by tandem mass spectrometry, in order to attain a screening profile of 26 molecules in just one stage. As such, the molecule identification was used as a test for the evaluation of the sampling procedures, including the location on the body, using patches for long-term sampling and vials for direct sampling, through a qualitative approach. From this evaluation it was possible to conclude that the sampling may be performed on the chest or back skin. Additionally, possible interference was evaluated. The long-term sampling with patches can be used under both rest and exercise conditions with variation of the detected molecule’s levels. The direct sampling, using vials, has the advantage of not having interferences but the disadvantage of only being effective after exercise in order to have enough sample for sweat analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Nunes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - José J. G. Moura
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Noronha
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Luís Cobra Branco
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Alejandro Samhan-Arias
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - João P. Sousa
- CINAMIL, Academia Militar, Rua Gomes Freire, 1150-244 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Rouco
- CINAMIL, Academia Militar, Rua Gomes Freire, 1150-244 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina M. Cordas
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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von Gall C. The Effects of Light and the Circadian System on Rhythmic Brain Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052778. [PMID: 35269920 PMCID: PMC8911243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Life on earth has evolved under the influence of regularly recurring changes in the environment, such as the 24 h light/dark cycle. Consequently, organisms have developed endogenous clocks, generating 24 h (circadian) rhythms that serve to anticipate these rhythmic changes. In addition to these circadian rhythms, which persist in constant conditions and can be entrained to environmental rhythms, light drives rhythmic behavior and brain function, especially in nocturnal laboratory rodents. In recent decades, research has made great advances in the elucidation of the molecular circadian clockwork and circadian light perception. This review summarizes the role of light and the circadian clock in rhythmic brain function, with a focus on the complex interaction between the different components of the mammalian circadian system. Furthermore, chronodisruption as a consequence of light at night, genetic manipulation, and neurodegenerative diseases is briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte von Gall
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
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Gage M, Putra M, Wachter L, Dishman K, Gard M, Gomez-Estrada C, Thippeswamy T. Saracatinib, a Src Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, as a Disease Modifier in the Rat DFP Model: Sex Differences, Neurobehavior, Gliosis, Neurodegeneration, and Nitro-Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:61. [PMID: 35052568 PMCID: PMC8773289 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), an organophosphate nerve agent (OPNA), exposure causes status epilepticus (SE) and epileptogenesis. In this study, we tested the protective effects of saracatinib (AZD0530), a Src kinase inhibitor, in mixed-sex or male-only Sprague Dawley rats exposed to 4-5 mg/kg DFP followed by 2 mg/kg atropine and 25 mg/kg 2-pralidoxime. Midazolam (3 mg/kg) was given to the mixed-sex cohort (1 h post-DFP) and male-only cohort (~30 min post-DFP). Saracatinib (20 mg/kg, oral, daily for 7 days) or vehicle was given two hours later and euthanized eight days or ten weeks post-DFP. Brain immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed increased microgliosis, astrogliosis, and neurodegeneration in DFP-treated animals. In the 10-week post-DFP male-only group, there were no significant differences between groups in the novel object recognition, Morris water maze, rotarod, or forced swim test. Brain IHC revealed significant mitigation by saracatinib in contrast to vehicle-treated DFP animals in microgliosis, astrogliosis, neurodegeneration, and nitro-oxidative stressors, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, GP91phox, and 3-Nitrotyrosine. These findings suggest the protective effects of saracatinib on brain pathology seem to depend on the initial SE severity. Further studies on dose optimization, including extended treatment regimen depending on the SE severity, are required to determine its disease-modifying potential in OPNA models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Thimmasettappa Thippeswamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (M.G.); (M.P.); (L.W.); (K.D.); (M.G.); (C.G.-E.)
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Antonazzo IC, Fornari C, Maumus-Robert S, Cei E, Paoletti O, Conti S, Cortesi PA, Mantovani LG, Gini R, Mazzaglia G. Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown, during the Two Waves, on Drug Use and Emergency Department Access in People with Epilepsy: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413253. [PMID: 34948862 PMCID: PMC8701966 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy implemented two national lockdowns aimed at reducing virus transmission. We assessed whether these lockdowns affected anti-seizure medication (ASM) use and epilepsy-related access to emergency departments (ED) in the general population. METHODS We performed a population-based study using the healthcare administrative database of Tuscany. We defined the weekly time series of prevalence and incidence of ASM, along with the incidence of epilepsy-related ED access from 1 January 2018 to 27 December 2020 in the general population. An interrupted time-series analysis was used to assess the effect of lockdowns on the observed outcomes. RESULTS Compared to pre-lockdown, we observed a relevant reduction of ASM incidence (0.65; 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.59-0.72) and ED access (0.72; 0.64-0.82), and a slight decrease of ASM prevalence (0.95; 0.94-0.96). During the post-lockdown the ASM incidence reported higher values compared to pre-lockdown, whereas ASM prevalence and ED access remained lower. Results also indicate a lower impact of the second lockdown for both ASM prevalence (0.97; 0.96-0.98) and incidence (0.89; 0.80-0.99). CONCLUSION The lockdowns implemented during the COVID-19 outbreaks significantly affected ASM use and epilepsy-related ED access. The potential consequences of these phenomenon are still unknown, although an increased incidence of epilepsy-related symptoms after the first lockdown has been observed. These findings emphasize the need of ensuring continuous care of epileptic patients in stressful conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ippazio Cosimo Antonazzo
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Carla Fornari
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandy Maumus-Robert
- Team Pharmacoepidemiology, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Inserm U1219, University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Eleonora Cei
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Olga Paoletti
- Epidemiology Unit, Regional Agency for Healthcare Services of Tuscany, 50141 Florence, Italy; (O.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Sara Conti
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Paolo Angelo Cortesi
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
- Value-Based Healthcare Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, 20099 Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
- Value-Based Healthcare Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, 20099 Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - Rosa Gini
- Epidemiology Unit, Regional Agency for Healthcare Services of Tuscany, 50141 Florence, Italy; (O.P.); (R.G.)
| | - Giampiero Mazzaglia
- Research Centre on Public Health (CESP), University of Milan-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (I.C.A.); (E.C.); (S.C.); (P.A.C.); (L.G.M.); (G.M.)
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21
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Bonilla-Jaime H, Zeleke H, Rojas A, Espinosa-Garcia C. Sleep Disruption Worsens Seizures: Neuroinflammation as a Potential Mechanistic Link. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12531. [PMID: 34830412 PMCID: PMC8617844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness, are common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These disturbances can be attributed to nocturnal seizures, psychosocial factors, and/or the use of anti-epileptic drugs with sleep-modifying side effects. Epilepsy patients with poor sleep quality have intensified seizure frequency and disease progression compared to their well-rested counterparts. A better understanding of the complex relationship between sleep and epilepsy is needed, since approximately 20% of seizures and more than 90% of sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy occur during sleep. Emerging studies suggest that neuroinflammation, (e.g., the CNS immune response characterized by the change in expression of inflammatory mediators and glial activation) may be a potential link between sleep deprivation and seizures. Here, we review the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation induces neuroinflammation and propose that neuroinflammation synergizes with seizure activity to worsen neurodegeneration in the epileptic brain. Additionally, we highlight the relevance of sleep interventions, often overlooked by physicians, to manage seizures, prevent epilepsy-related mortality, and improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Área de Biología Conductual y Reproductiva, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Ciudad de Mexico CP 09340, Mexico;
| | - Helena Zeleke
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Asheebo Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Claudia Espinosa-Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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22
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Brandner S, Schroeter S, Çalışkan G, Salar S, Kobow K, Coras R, Blümcke I, Hamer H, Schwarz M, Buchfelder M, Maslarova A. Glucocorticoid modulation of synaptic plasticity in the human temporal cortex of epilepsy patients: Does chronic stress contribute to memory impairment? Epilepsia 2021; 63:209-221. [PMID: 34687218 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Memory impairment is common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and seriously affects life quality. Chronic stress is a recognized cofactor in epilepsy and can also impair memory function. Furthermore, increased cortisol levels have been reported in epilepsy patients. Animal models have suggested that aggravating effects of stress on memory and synaptic plasticity were mediated via glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulation on synaptic plasticity in the human cortex of epilepsy patients. METHODS We performed field potential recordings in acute slices from the temporal neocortex of patients who underwent surgery for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Synaptic plasticity was investigated by a theta-burst stimulation (TBS) protocol for induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the presence of GR modulators. RESULTS LTP was impaired in temporal cortex from epilepsy patients. Pretreatment of the slices with the GR antagonist mifepristone (RU486) improved LTP induction, suggesting that LTP impairment was due to baseline GR activation in the human cortex. The highly potent GR agonist dexamethasone additionally weakened synaptic strength in an activity-dependent manner when applied after TBS. SIGNIFICANCE Our results show a direct negative glucocorticoid effect on synaptic potentiation in the human cortex and imply chronic activation of GRs. Chronic stress may therefore contribute to memory impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Furthermore, the activity-dependent acute inhibitory effect of dexamethasone suggests a mechanism of synaptic downscaling by which postictally increased cortisol levels may prevent pathologic plasticity upon seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brandner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Schroeter
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Orthopedic, Trauma, and Hand Surgery, Osnabrück Clinic, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Gürsel Çalışkan
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Seda Salar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katja Kobow
- Department of Neuropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Roland Coras
- Department of Neuropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ingmar Blümcke
- Department of Neuropathology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hajo Hamer
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Maslarova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Li H, Xu L, Yang F, Jia L, Cheng H, Liu W. Case Report: Hypopituitarism Presenting With Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus. Front Neurol 2021; 12:715885. [PMID: 34630288 PMCID: PMC8493291 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.715885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Hypopituitarism is defined as one or more partial or complete pituitary hormone deficiencies. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) refers to a state of continuous or repetitive seizures without convulsions. In this paper, we review a case of an old female patient with hypopituitarism who presented with NCSE, which is rare in the clinic. Case Report: This paper describes a 67-year-old female patient with hypopituitarism who presented as NCSE. She had surgical resection of pituitary tumor half a year before the seizures and did not get regular hormone replacement therapy. She presented general convulsive status epilepsy as the initial symptom and got sedation and antiepileptic drug in the emergency room. The seizure was terminated but the patient fell in coma in the following days. The patient had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other inspects, and EEG showed epileptic discharges. Combining these clinical symptoms and examinations, we made the diagnosis of NCSE. Finally, she regained consciousness after the treatment with diazepam. Conclusion: This case report and literature review investigated the possible mechanism of hypopituitarism presenting with NCSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Li
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
| | - Lina Xu
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
| | - Fengbing Yang
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
| | - Longbin Jia
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
| | - Hongjiang Cheng
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Jincheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Jincheng, China
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24
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Ding M, Lang Y, Shu H, Shao J, Cui L. Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Epilepsy: A Review on Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutics. Front Immunol 2021; 12:742449. [PMID: 34707612 PMCID: PMC8542678 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain, and regulates intestinal homeostasis and the central nervous system via neural networks and neuroendocrine, immune, and inflammatory pathways. The development of sequencing technology has evidenced the key regulatory role of the gut microbiota in several neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Epilepsy is a complex disease with multiple risk factors that affect more than 50 million people worldwide; nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy cannot be controlled with drugs. Interestingly, patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more susceptible to epilepsy, and a ketogenic diet is an effective treatment for patients with intractable epilepsy. Based on these clinical facts, the role of the microbiome and the gut-brain axis in epilepsy cannot be ignored. In this review, we discuss the relationship between the gut microbiota and epilepsy, summarize the possible pathogenic mechanisms of epilepsy from the perspective of the microbiota gut-brain axis, and discuss novel therapies targeting the gut microbiota. A better understanding of the role of the microbiota in the gut-brain axis, especially the intestinal one, would help investigate the mechanism, diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment of intractable epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li Cui
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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25
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de Nys R, Kumar R, Gecz J. Protocadherin 19 Clustering Epilepsy and Neurosteroids: Opportunities for Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9769. [PMID: 34575929 PMCID: PMC8469663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroids yield great influence on neurological development through nuclear hormone receptor (NHR)-mediated gene regulation. We recently reported that cell adhesion molecule protocadherin 19 (encoded by the PCDH19 gene) is involved in the coregulation of steroid receptor activity on gene expression. PCDH19 variants cause early-onset developmental epileptic encephalopathy clustering epilepsy (CE), with altered steroidogenesis and NHR-related gene expression being identified in these individuals. The implication of hormonal pathways in CE pathogenesis has led to the investigation of various steroid-based antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of this disorder, with mixed results so far. Therefore, there are many unmet challenges in assessing the antiseizure targets and efficiency of steroid-based therapeutics for CE. We review and assess the evidence for and against the implication of neurosteroids in the pathogenesis of CE and in view of their possible clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah de Nys
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Raman Kumar
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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26
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Gulyaeva NV. Stress-Associated Molecular and Cellular Hippocampal Mechanisms Common for Epilepsy and Comorbid Depressive Disorders. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:641-656. [PMID: 34225588 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921060031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The review discusses molecular and cellular mechanisms common to the temporal lobe epileptogenesis/epilepsy and depressive disorders. Comorbid temporal lobe epilepsy and depression are associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Excessive glucocorticoids disrupt the function and impair the structure of the hippocampus, a brain region key to learning, memory, and emotions. Selective vulnerability of the hippocampus to stress, mediated by the reception of glucocorticoid hormones secreted during stress, is the price of the high functional plasticity and pleiotropy of this limbic structure. Common molecular and cellular mechanisms include the dysfunction of glucocorticoid receptors, neurotransmitters, and neurotrophic factors, development of neuroinflammation, leading to neurodegeneration and loss of hippocampal neurons, as well as disturbances in neurogenesis in the subgranular neurogenic niche and formation of aberrant neural networks. These glucocorticoid-dependent processes underlie altered stress response and the development of chronic stress-induced comorbid pathologies, in particular, temporal lobe epilepsy and depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V Gulyaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117485, Russia. .,Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, 115419, Russia
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27
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Levenberg K, Hajnal A, George DR, Saunders EFH. Prolonged functional cerebral asymmetry as a consequence of dysfunctional parvocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus signaling: An integrative model for the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Med Hypotheses 2020; 146:110433. [PMID: 33317848 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 45 million people worldwide are diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD). While there are many known risk factors and models of the pathologic processes influencing BD, the exact neurologic underpinnings of BD are unknown. We attempt to integrate the existing literature and create a unifying hypothesis regarding the pathophysiology of BD with the hope that a concrete model may potentially facilitate more specific diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of BD in the future. We hypothesize that dysfunctional signaling from the parvocellular neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) results in the clinical presentation of BD. Functional damage to this nucleus and its signaling pathways may be mediated by myriad factors (e.g. immune dysregulation and auto-immune processes, polygenetic variation, dysfunctional interhemispheric connections, and impaired or overactivated hypothalamic axes) which could help explain the wide variety of clinical presentations along the BD spectrum. The neurons of the PVN regulate ultradian rhythms, which are observed in cyclic variations in healthy individuals, and mediate changes in functional hemispheric lateralization. Theoretically, dysfunctional PVN signaling results in prolonged functional hemispheric dominance. In this model, prolonged right hemispheric dominance leads to depressive symptoms, whereas left hemispheric dominance correlated to the clinical picture of mania. Subsequently, physiologic processes that increase signaling through the PVN (hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis, hypothalamic- pituitary-gonadal axis, and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity, suprachiasmatic nucleus pathways) as well as, neuro-endocrine induced excito-toxicity, auto-immune and inflammatory flairs may induce mood episodes in susceptible individuals. Potentially, ultradian rhythms slowing with age, in combination with changes in hypothalamic axes and maturation of neural circuitry, accounts for BD clinically presenting more frequently in young adulthood than later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Levenberg
- College of Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, State College, USA.
| | - Andras Hajnal
- Neural & Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, State College, USA
| | - Daniel R George
- Department of Humanities, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, USA
| | - Erika F H Saunders
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Penn State University College of Medicine, State College, USA
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28
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Simani L, Raminfard S, Asadollahi M, Roozbeh M, Ryan F, Rostami M. Neurochemicals of limbic system and thalamofrontal cortical network: Are they different between patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizure? Epilepsy Behav 2020; 112:107480. [PMID: 33181911 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thalamofrontal cortical network and limbic system are proposed to be involved in psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) and idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). This study aimed to investigate neurochemical changes in prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and limbic circuits in patients with PNES and IGE. We also analyzed the interaction between cognitive functions and neurochemical changes in both groups. METHODS Hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used to measure N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), glutamate-glutamine (Glx), and myo-inositol (MI). The voxels were placed on the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and thalamus. Attention and inhibitory control, as well as general intelligence status, were investigated using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), respectively, in patients with PNES and IGE, as well as healthy volunteers. RESULTS The 1H-MRS showed a decreased ratio of NAA/Cr in the right and left thalamus, right DMPFC, and right ACC in patients with IGE and PNES. Furthermore, a decrease of the NAA/Cr ratio in the left DMPFC and an increase of NAA/Cr ratio in the right DLPFC were observed in patients with PNES compared with the controls. The patient groups had a decreased ratio of Cho/Cr in right ACC compared with the healthy subjects. Moreover, the NAA/Cr ratio in the left thalamus and left DMPFC was correlated with seizure frequency in patient groups. Reduced NAA/Cr ratio in the right ACC and left DLPFC were also correlated with poor IVA-CPT scores. CONCLUSION This study highlighted the dysfunction in prefrontal-thalamic-limbic circuits and impairment in neurocognition in patients with PNES and IGE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Simani
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Samira Raminfard
- Advanced Medical Technologies and Equipment Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Asadollahi
- Department of Epilepsy, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Roozbeh
- Brain Mapping Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fari Ryan
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mohammad Rostami
- Iran Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba'I University, Tehran, Iran
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Puteikis K, Streckytė D, Pociuvienė G, Wolf P, Mameniškienė R. How are results of EEG activation procedures associated with patient perception of seizure provocative factors? A single-center cross-sectional pilot study. Epilepsy Res 2020; 167:106438. [PMID: 32810766 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between subjectively perceived seizure provocative factors or inhibitors and objectively recorded changes in epileptiform activity (EA) during EEG activation procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Consenting epilepsy patients (≥18 years old) were asked to complete a questionnaire by indicating whether items on a list provoke, inhibit or have no effect on their seizures. A scalp EEG was recorded afterwards to evaluate baseline epileptiform activity and its change (increase/decrease in frequency) during a set of activation procedures. These included hyperventilation, intermittent photic stimulation (IPS), eye-closing/eye-opening, tasks of reading aloud in a native and a foreign language, solving a Rubik's cube and crossing-out letters. We used correlation and multiple regression analysis to search for associations between the sum of self-reported provocative/inhibiting items and changes in EA. RESULTS Of the 90 patients recruited 75 (83.3%) indicated at least one seizure provocative factor. Sleep deprivation, emotional stress, negative emotions and alcohol use were most frequently selected as provoking seizures. Positive feelings, focused thinking, mental calculation and exercising were the most predominant seizure inhibitors. EEG data revealed a weak, but statistically significant correlation with the sum of items in distinct questionnaire groups (0.20 ≤ Spearman's ρ ≤ 0.39). Sensory stimuli (olfactory, gustatory, auditory and visual), cognitive phenomena (thoughts and feelings) and substance use were found to be significantly correlated with EEG results by being self-reported as both provoking and inhibiting seizures. A statistically significant relationship was also found between the increase in EA while reading aloud in a native language and the number of physiological states (sleep deprivation, stress etc.) indicated as provoking seizures (Spearman's ρ = 0.320, P = 0.005). A suitable stepwise multiple regression model was feasible for this finding (F(3, 71) = 7.396, P < 0.001, adjusted R squared = 0.206) with the additional inclusion of EA change during IPS and epilepsy type as explanatory variables. CONCLUSION Our pilot study indicates that there is a previously non-explored association between patients' self-perception of seizure provocative/inhibiting factors and objectively recorded changes in epileptiform activity during activation EEGs. Distinct EEG tests might be useful in activating ictogenic networks that are sensitive to indirect influence by hormonal, emotional or diurnally variable factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristijonas Puteikis
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania; M. K. Čiurlionio str. 21, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Dovilė Streckytė
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania; M. K. Čiurlionio str. 21, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gabrielė Pociuvienė
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania; M. K. Čiurlionio str. 21, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Peter Wolf
- Danish Epilepsy Centre Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Zamkah A, Hui T, Andrews S, Dey N, Shi F, Sherratt RS. Identification of Suitable Biomarkers for Stress and Emotion Detection for Future Personal Affective Wearable Sensors. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2020; 10:bios10040040. [PMID: 32316280 PMCID: PMC7235866 DOI: 10.3390/bios10040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skin conductivity (i.e., sweat) forms the basis of many physiology-based emotion and stress detection systems. However, such systems typically do not detect the biomarkers present in sweat, and thus do not take advantage of the biological information in the sweat. Likewise, such systems do not detect the volatile organic components (VOC’s) created under stressful conditions. This work presents a review into the current status of human emotional stress biomarkers and proposes the major potential biomarkers for future wearable sensors in affective systems. Emotional stress has been classified as a major contributor in several social problems, related to crime, health, the economy, and indeed quality of life. While blood cortisol tests, electroencephalography and physiological parameter methods are the gold standards for measuring stress; however, they are typically invasive or inconvenient and not suitable for wearable real-time stress monitoring. Alternatively, cortisol in biofluids and VOCs emitted from the skin appear to be practical and useful markers for sensors to detect emotional stress events. This work has identified antistress hormones and cortisol metabolites as the primary stress biomarkers that can be used in future sensors for wearable affective systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Zamkah
- Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, UK; (A.Z.); (T.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Terence Hui
- Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, UK; (A.Z.); (T.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Simon Andrews
- Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, UK; (A.Z.); (T.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Nilanjan Dey
- Department of Information Technology, Techno India College of Technology, West Bengal 700156, India;
| | - Fuqian Shi
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA;
| | - R. Simon Sherratt
- Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, UK; (A.Z.); (T.H.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-118-378-8588
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31
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Abstract
Psychiatric illnesses, including depression and anxiety, are highly comorbid with epilepsy (for review see Josephson and Jetté (Int Rev Psychiatry 29:409-424, 2017), Salpekar and Mula (Epilepsy Behav 98:293-297, 2019)). Psychiatric comorbidities negatively impact the quality of life of patients (Johnson et al., Epilepsia 45:544-550, 2004; Cramer et al., Epilepsy Behav 4:515-521, 2003) and present a significant challenge to treating patients with epilepsy (Hitiris et al., Epilepsy Res 75:192-196, 2007; Petrovski et al., Neurology 75:1015-1021, 2010; Fazel et al., Lancet 382:1646-1654, 2013) (for review see Kanner (Seizure 49:79-82, 2017)). It has long been acknowledged that there is an association between psychiatric illnesses and epilepsy. Hippocrates, in the fourth-fifth century B.C., considered epilepsy and melancholia to be closely related in which he writes that "melancholics ordinarily become epileptics, and epileptics, melancholics" (Lewis, J Ment Sci 80:1-42, 1934). The Babylonians also recognized the frequency of psychosis in patients with epilepsy (Reynolds and Kinnier Wilson, Epilepsia 49:1488-1490, 2008). Despite the fact that the relationship between psychiatric comorbidities and epilepsy has been recognized for thousands of years, psychiatric illnesses in people with epilepsy still commonly go undiagnosed and untreated (Hermann et al., Epilepsia 41(Suppl 2):S31-S41, 2000) and systematic research in this area is still lacking (Devinsky, Epilepsy Behav 4(Suppl 4):S2-S10, 2003). Thus, although it is clear that these are not new issues, there is a need for improvements in the screening and management of patients with psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy (Lopez et al., Epilepsy Behav 98:302-305, 2019) and progress is needed to understand the underlying neurobiology contributing to these comorbid conditions. To that end, this chapter will raise awareness regarding the scope of the problem as it relates to comorbid psychiatric illnesses and epilepsy and review our current understanding of the potential mechanisms contributing to these comorbidities, focusing on both basic science and clinical research findings.
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