Systemic inflammatory status and control of seizures in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Preliminary results

Abstract

Epilepsy is a disorder with high prevalence worldwide, particularly in developing countries. It has been shown that epilepsy is associated with a local inflammatory reaction, with astrocyte and microglia activation and secretion of proinflammatory mediators. In addition there is evidence to suggest that central proinflammatory states increase the possibility of developing crisis; also it was shown that systemic inflammation lowers seizure threshold in several experimental models of peripheral inflammation. Objective: To determine if a systemic “pro-inflammatory” state may contribute to the lack of control of seizures in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Methods: 30 patients treated at INNN since 2005 were included. An ad-hoc questionnaire was applicated to assess 1) the frequency and intensity of pro-inflammatory factors in the two months period previous to the interview, and 2) seizure frequency in this period and their characteristics. Possible associations between these two parameters were evaluated. Results: The statistical analysis did not found significant associations between the intensity of peripheral pro-inflammatory factors and uncontrolled epilepsy. Conclusions: These results seem to show that systemic inflammatory status is not involved in the control of seizures in patients with JME. These results are preliminary and will be completed by the measurement of pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins in the sera of affected patients.