Mechanisms Underlying Catamenial Epilepsy

Mechanisms Underlying Catamenial Epilepsy Description Catamenial epilepsy is a condition that affects approximately 30% of women diagnosed with epilepsy, who experience cyclical exacerbation of seizures before, during and after the initiation if their menstrual cycles. Studies have shown that the seizures are caused by the fluctuations in the level of steroidal hormones such as estradiol, neurosteroids and progesterone. It has been evident that estradiol contributes to the excitation of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus which leads to the occurrence of perimenstrual seizure exacerbations. Furthermore, studies have also shown that adrenergic neurosteroids such as testosterone, interfere with the ovarian cycle. Testosterone also, increases the chance of amygdala-kindled seizures and reduces the seizure threshold, and therefore, it leads to catamenial seizures. Researchers have now identified that a decrease in the level of progesterone before, during and after the initiation of the menstrual cycle, results in perimenstrual seizure exacerbation in women diagnosed with epilepsy, as in normal individuals, progesterone is converted to allopregnanolone which enhances the inhibitory effect of GABA on the receptor. While in most catamenial epileptic patients an increase of 50% in the medication is common, this literature, examines the effect of prolonged usage of cyclical progesterone therapy in women suffering from catamenial epilepsy. Files Catamenial Epilepsy _ Bardia Haghighirad_ 2021.pdf Files (343.8 kB) | Name | Size | Download all | |---|---|---| | md5:29aa929ea646bc4d3a4276f02e75703d | 343.8 kB | Preview Download |