Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 189-195 , December 2007

Hormonal Consequences of Epilepsy

  • Adenike Opaleke, MD
    • ,
  • Sandra L. Helmers, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Sandra L. Helmers, MD, Emory Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Emory University School of Medicine, The Emory Clinic, 1365-A Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322.

References 

  1. Hauser WA. The prevalence and incidence of convulsive disorders in children. Epilepsia. 1994;35(suppl 2):S1–S6
  2. Woolley C, Schwartzkroin PA. Hormonal effects on the brain. Epilepsia. 1998;39(suppl 8):S2–S8
  3. Herzog AG. Psychoneuroendocrine aspects of temporolimbic epilepsy, Part I: Brain, reproductive steroids and emotions. Psychosomatics. 1999;40:95–101
  4. Smith SS. Estrogen administration increases neuronal responses to excitatory amino acids as a long term effect. Br Res. 1989;503:354–357
  5. Pfaff D, Keiner M. Atlas of estradiol-concentrating cells in the central nervous system of the female rat. J Comp Neurol. 1973;151:121–158
  6. Loy R, Gerlach JL, McEwen BS. Autoradiographic localization of estradiol-binding neurons in the rat hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex. Brain Res. 1988;467:245–251
  7. McEwen BS, Davis P, Gerlach J, et al. Progestin receptors in the brain and pituitary gland. In:  Bardin CW,  Mauvais-Jarvis J,  Milgrom E editor. Progesterone and Progestins. New York, NY: Raven Press; 1983;p. 59–76
  8. Reddy DS. Anticonvulsant activity of the testosterone-derived neurosteroid 3α-androstanediol. Neuroreport. 2004;15:515–518
  9. Simerly RB, Swanson LW, Chang C, et al. Distribution of androgen and estrogen receptor mRNA-containing cells in the rat brain: An in situ hybridization study. J Comp Neurol. 1990;1:76–95
  10. Fernandez-Guasti A, Kruijver FP, Fodor M, et al. Sex differences in the distribution of androgen receptors in the human hypothalamus. J Comp Neurol. 2000;425:422–435
  11. Edwards HE, MacLusky NJ, Burnham WM. The effect of seizures and kindling on reproductive hormones in the rat. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2000;24:753–762
  12. Logothetis J, Harner R, Morrell F. The role of estrogens in catamenial exacerbation of epilepsy. Neurology. 1959;9:352–360
  13. Rupprecht R, Hauser CAE, Trapp T, et al. Neurosteroids: molecular mechanisms of action and psychopharmacological significance. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1996;56:1–6
  14. Schumacher M. Rapid membrane effects of steroid hormones: an emerging concept in neuroendocrinology. Trends Neurosci. 1990;13:359–362
  15. Majewska MD, Harrison NL, Schwartz RD. Steroid hormone metabolites are barbiturate-like modulators of the GABA receptor. Science. 1986;232:1004–1007
  16. Paul SM, Purdy RH. Neuroactive steroids. FASEB. 1992;6:2311–2322
  17. Backstrom T, Zetterlund B, Blom S. Effects of intravenous progesterone infusions on the epileptic discharge frequency in women with partial epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand. 1984;69:240–248
  18. Herzog AG. Menstrual disorders in women with epilepsy. Neurology. 2006;66(suppl 3):S23–S28
  19. Herzog AG, Fowler KM. Sexual hormones and epilepsy: threat and opportunities. Curr Opin Neurol. 2005;18:167–172
  20. Quigg M, Kiely JM, Shneker B, et al. Interictal and postictal alterations of pulsatile secretions of luteinizing hormone in temporal lobe epilepsy in men. Ann Neurol. 2002;51:539–542
  21. Svalheim S, Tauboll E, Bjornenak T. Do women with epilepsy have increased frequency of menstrual disturbances?. Seizure. 2003;12:529–533
  22. Herzog AG, Seibel MM, Schomer DL, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Arch Neurol. 1986;43:341–346
  23. Herzog AG. Progesterone therapy in women with epilepsy: A three year follow up. Neurology. 1999;52:1917–1918
  24. Lennox WG, Cobb S. Up to two-thirds of women with catamenial epilepsy may experience the onset of seizures within 3 years of menarche. Epilepsy Med. 1928;27:105–290
  25. Beaussart M, Faou R. Evolution of epilepsy with Rolandic (centrotemporal) paroxysmal foci. Epilepsia. 1978;19:337–342
  26. Panayiotopoulos CP. Benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms: A 15-year prospective study. Ann Neurol. 1989;26:51–56
  27. Wheless JW, Kim HL. Adolescent seizures and epilepsy syndromes. Epilepsia. 2002;43(suppl 3):33–52
  28. Rosciszewska D. The course of epilepsy at the age of puberty in girls. Neurol Neurochir Pol. 1975;9:597–602
  29. Logothetis J, Harner R, Morrell F. The role of estrogens in catamenial exacerbation of epilepsy. Neurology. 1959;9:352–360
  30. Longo LPS, Saldana LEG. Hormones and their influences in epilepsy. Acta Neurol Latinoam. 1966;12:29–47
  31. Woolley DE, Timiras PS. The gonad-brain relationship: Effects of female sex hormones on electroshock convulsions in the rat. Endocrinology. 1962;70:196–209
  32. Ben-Shlomo I, Franks S, Adashi EY. The polycystic ovary syndrome: Nature or nurture?. Fertil steril. 1995;63:953–954
  33. Polson DW, Adams J, Wadsworth J, et al. Polycystic ovaries—A common finding in normal women. Lancet. 1988;1:870–872
  34. Clayton RN, Ogden V, Hodgkinson J, et al. How common are polycystic ovaries in normal women and what is their significance for the fertility of the population?. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1992;37:127–134
  35. Farquhar CM, Birdsall M, Manning P, et al. The prevalence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scanning in a population of randomly selected women. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1994;34:67–72
  36. Botsis D, Kassanos D, Pyrgiotis E, et al. Sonographic incidence of polycystic ovaries in a gynecological population. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1995;6:182–185
  37. Michelmore KF, Balen AH, Dunger DB, et al. Polycystic ovaries and associated biochemical features in young women. Clin Endocrinol. 1999;51:779–786
  38. Herzog AG, Seibel MM, Schomer D, et al. Temporal lobe epilepsy: An extrahypothalamic pathogenesis for polycystic ovary syndrome?. Neurology. 1984;34:1389–1393
  39. Bilo L, Meo R, Nappi C, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with primary generalized epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1988;29:612–619
  40. Isojärvi JIT, Laatikainen TJ, Pakarinen AJ, et al. Polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism in women taking valproate for epilepsy. N Engl J Med. 1993;329:1283–1288
  41. Isojärvi JIT, Laatikainen TJ, Knip M, et al. Obesity and endocrine disorders in women taking valproate for epilepsy. Ann Neurol. 1996;39:579–584
  42. Luef G, Abraham I, Haslinger M, et al. Polycystic ovaries, obesity and insulin resistance in women with epilepsy: A comparative study of carbamazepine and valproic acid in 105 women. J Neurol. 2002;249:835–841
  43. Bauer J, Krämer G, Luef G. Impact of epilepsy on reproductive endocrine functions in men. Akt Eurol. 2004;1:55–59
  44. deVries L, Karasik A, Landau Z, et al. Endocrine effects of vaproate in adolescent girls with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2007;48:470–477
  45. Morrell MJ, Giudice L, Flynn KL, et al. Predictors of ovulatory failure in women with epilepsy. Ann Neurol. 2002;52:704–711
  46. Mikkonen K, Vainionpaa LK, Pakarinen AJ, et al. Long-term reproductive endocrine health in young women with epilepsy during puberty. Neurology. 2004;62:445–450
  47. Palmert MR, Gordon CM, Kartashov A, et al. Screening for abnormal polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87:1017–1023
  48. Newmark NE, Penry JK. Catamenial epilepsy: A review. Epilepsia. 1980;21:281–300
  49. Logothetis J, Harner R, Morrell F, et al. The role of estrogens in catamenial exacerbation of epilepsy. Neurology. 1959;9:352–360
  50. Longo LPS, Saldana LEG. Hormones and their influences in epilepsy. Acta Neurol Latinoam. 1966;12:29–47
  51. Rosciszewska D. The course of epilepsy at the age of puberty in girls. Neurol Neurochir Pol. 1975;9:597–602
  52. Herzog AG, Klein P, Ransil BJ. Three patterns of catamenial epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1997;38:1082–1088
  53. Laidlaw J. Catamenial epilepsy. Lancet. 1956;271:1235–1237
  54. Logothetis J, Harner R, Morrell F, et al. The role of estrogens in catamenial exacerbation of epilepsy. Neurology. 1959;9:352–360
  55. Shavitt G, Lerman P, Korczyn AD. Phenytoin pharmacokinetics in catamenial epilepsy. Neurology. 1984;34:959–961
  56. Roscizewska D, Buntner B, Guz I. Ovarian hormones, anticonvulsant drugs and seizures during the menstrual cycle in women with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1986;49:47–51
  57. Klein P, Herzog AG. Endocrine aspects of partial seizures. In:  Schachter SC,  Schomer DL editor. The Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment of Epilepsy. San Diego, CA: Academic Press; 1997;p. 207–232
  58. Herzog AG. Progesterone therapy in women with complex partial and secondary generalized seizures. Neurology. 1995;45:1660–1662
  59. El-Kayat HA, Shatla HM, Ali GKH, et al. Physical and hormonal profile of male sexual development in epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2003;44:447–452
  60. Herzog AG, Seibel MM, Schomer DL, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Arch Neurol. 1986;43:341–346
  61. Toone BK, Wheeler M, Nanjee M. Sex hormones, sexual activity and plasma anticonvulsant levels in male epileptics. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1983;46:824–826
  62. Isojärvi JIT, Pakarinen AJ, Ylipalosaari PJ. Serum hormones in male epileptic patients receiving anticonvulsant medication. Arch Neurol. 1990;47:670–676
  63. Rättyä J, Turkka J, Pakarinen AJ. Reproductive endocrine effects of valproate, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine in men with epilepsy. Neurology. 2001;56:31–36
  64. Isojärvi JIT, Lofgren E, Juntunen KST. Effect of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on male reproductive health. Neurology. 2004;62:247–253
  65. Rättyä J, Vainionpää L, Knip M, et al. The effects of valproate, carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine on growth and sexual maturation in girls with epilepsy. Pediatrics. 1999;103:588–593
  66. Isojärvi JIT, Laatikainen TJ, Knip M, et al. Obesity and endocrine disorders in women taking valproate for epilepsy. Ann Neurol. 1996;39:579–584
  67. Andrade Olivie MA, García-Mayor RV, González Lestón D, et al. Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 and IGF-I levels during childhood and adolescence—A cross-sectional study. Pediatr Res. 1995;38:149–155
  68. Bauer J, Jarre A, Klingmüller D, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome in patients with focal epilepsy: A study in 93 women. Epilepsy Res. 2000;41:163–167
  69. Murialdo G, Galimberti CA, Fonzi S. Sex hormones and pituitary function in male epileptic patients with altered or normal sexuality. Epilepsia. 1995;36:358–363

PII: S1071-9091(07)00058-7

doi: 10.1016/j.spen.2007.08.005

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 189-195 , December 2007

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution