CXCR5 Regulates Neuronal Polarity Development and Migration in the Embryonic Stage via F-Actin Homeostasis and Results in Epilepsy-Related Behavior / 神经科学通报·英文版

Epilepsy is a common, chronic neurological disorder that has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment and immunity. The chemokine receptor CXCR5 is involved in seizures via an unknown mechanism. Here, we first determined the expression pattern and distribution of the CXCR5 gene in the mouse brain during different stages of development and the brain tissue of patients with epilepsy. Subsequently, we found that the knockdown of CXCR5 increased the susceptibility of mice to pentylenetetrazol- and kainic acid-induced seizures, whereas CXCR5 overexpression had the opposite effect. CXCR5 knockdown in mouse embryos via viral vector electrotransfer negatively influenced the motility and multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migratory neurons. Using a human-derived induced an in vitro multipotential stem cell neurodevelopmental model, we determined that CXCR5 regulates neuronal migration and polarization by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton during various stages of neurodevelopment. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the knockdown of CXCR5 induced neuronal hyperexcitability, resulting in an increased number of seizures. Finally, our results suggested that CXCR5 deficiency triggers seizure-related electrical activity through a previously unknown mechanism, namely, the disruption of neuronal polarity.

KIF17 Modulates Epileptic Seizures and Membrane Expression of the NMDA Receptor Subunit NR2B / 神经科学通报·英文版

Epilepsy is a common and severe brain disease affecting >65 million people worldwide. Recent studies have shown that kinesin superfamily motor protein 17 (KIF17) is expressed in neurons and is involved in regulating the dendrite-targeted transport of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B). However, the effect of KIF17 on epileptic seizures remains to be explored. We found that KIF17 was mainly expressed in neurons and that its expression was increased in epileptic brain tissue. In the kainic acid (KA)-induced epilepsy mouse model, KIF17 overexpression increased the severity of epileptic activity, whereas KIF17 knockdown had the opposite effect. In electrophysiological tests, KIF17 regulated excitatory synaptic transmission, potentially due to KIF17-mediated NR2B membrane expression. In addition, this report provides the first demonstration that KIF17 is modified by SUMOylation (SUMO, small ubiquitin-like modifier), which plays a vital role in the stabilization and maintenance of KIF17 in epilepsy.

Anticonvulsivantes y su efecto en el metabolismo de la vitamina D: revisión del tema, a propósito de un caso / Anticonvulsants and their effect on the metabolism of vitamin D: literature review with case report

La epilepsia es una enfermedad neurológica frecuente que afecta a cerca de 50.000 millones de personas en el mundo. En Chile, la prevalencia estimada es de 10.8 a 17 por 1.000 habitantes. La primera opción para su tratamiento son los fármacos antiepilépticos (FAE) los cuales logran un aceptable control de enfermedad en la mayoría de los casos, sin embargo, tienen la potencialidad de desencadenar una serie de efectos adversos destacando entre ellos el desarrollo de hipocalcemia (HC) secundaria a hipovitaminosis D (HD), alteración que por lo general es leve y asintomática. Presentamos el caso de una mujer perimenopausica con antecedente de epilepsia en tratamiento con anticonvulsivante que desarrolla hipocalcemia severa. Además revisamos los mecanismos descritos a través de los cuales los FAE afectan el metabolismo de esta vitamina.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that affects about 50,000 million people in the world. The estimated prevalence is 10.8 to 17 per 1.000 inhabitants in Chile. The first option for its treatment are antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which achieve an acceptable control of the disease in most cases, however, they have the potential to trigger a series of adverse effects (AE) highlighting among them the development of hypocalcemia (HC) secondary to hypovitaminosis D (HD), an alteration that is generally mild and asymptomatic. We present the case of a perimenopausal woman with a history of epilepsy under treatment with an anticonvulsant who develops severe hypocalcemia. We also review the mechanisms described through which AEDs affect the metabolism of this vitamin.

Neurobiochemical mechanisms of a ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy

A ketogenic diet is an important therapy used in the control of drug-refractory seizures. Many studies have shown that children and adolescents following ketogenic diets exhibit an over 50% reduction in seizure frequency, which is considered to be clinically relevant. These benefits are based on a diet containing high fat (approximately 90% fat) for 24 months. This dietary model was proposed in the 1920s and has produced variable clinical responses. Previous studies have shown that the mechanisms underlying seizure control involve ketone bodies, which are produced by fatty acid oxidation. Although the pathways involved in the ketogenic diet are not entirely clear, the main effects of the production of ketone bodies appear to be neurotransmitter modulation and antioxidant effects on the brain. This review highlights the impacts of the ketogenic diet on the modulation of neurotransmitters, levels of biogenic monoamines and protective antioxidant mechanisms of neurons. In addition, future perspectives are proposed. .

Isolamento e cultivo de neurônios e neuroesferas de córtex cerebral aviar / Isolation and culture of neurons and neurospheres from chicken brain cortex

Métodos de cultivo celular são convenientes na realização de análises funcionais de alterações/interações protéicas das células neuronais, auxiliando a decifrar o interactoma de proteínas chaves na neurogênese de doenças do Sistema Nervoso Central. Por esse motivo, culturas de neurônios e neuroesferas isolados do córtex cerebral aviar representam um modelo acessível para o estudo de diversas doenças neurológicas, tal como a epilepsia. A espécie aviar apresenta peculiaridades em seu proteoma neuronal, visto a presença de uma expressão diferenciada de proteínas chaves no metabolismo energético cerebral, algumas destas (VDAC1 e VDAC2) desempenham papel importante na compreensão do mecanismo da epilepsia refratária. A metodologia estabelecida no presente estudo obteve cultivo de neuroeferas, onde as células cresceram tipicamente em aglomerados atingindo, dentro de 7 dias, o diâmetro ideal de 100-200 µm. A diferenciação celular das neuroesferas foi obtida após a aderência destas às placas tratadas com poli-D-lisina, evidenciada pela migração de fibras do interior da neuroesfera. Ao contrário das neuroesferas, os neurônios em cultivo extenderam seus neuritos após 11 dias de isolamento. Tal modelo in vitro pode ser utilizado com sucesso na identificação das variáveis neuroproteômicas, propiciando uma avaliação global das alterações dinâmicas e suas interações protéicas. Tal modelo pode ter aplicações em estudos dos efeitos de indutores da morte celular e bloqueadores de canais de membrana mitocondriais em proteínas chaves do metabolismo energético cerebral.

Cell culture methods are used for studies of protein interactions in neural cells, helping to detect the interactome of proteins linked to generation of central nervous system diseases. For this reason, neural cells and neurospheres isolated from cortical chicken brain are a current model for studies of neurological diseases, such as epilepsy. Chicken brain has key characteristics on its proteome, with a differential expression of proteins linked to energy metabolism, some of them (VDAC 1 and VDAC 2) play an important role in understanding mechanism of refractory epilepsy. Using the methods described, we found neurospheres, in which cells grow in structures with the ideal diameter of 100-200µm within seven days after isolation. Neurospheres differentiation was obtained after adhesion of these cells to surfaces coated with poly-D-Lysine, detected by migration of fibers inside them. Unlike neurospheres, neurons extended neurites after 11 days of isolation. Here we describe a method to isolate and culture neurons and neurospheres from chicken cerebral cortex. Such "in vitro" model can be utilized on studies of neuronal protein differential expression and interaction. Cultures of isolated neurons represent an accessible model on studies of apoptosis and channel blockers of key proteins linked to brain metabolism.

Colocalización de proteínas proepileptogénicas en sinapsis hipocampales después de convulsiones / Colocalization of proepileptogenic proteins on hippocampal sinapsis after seizure

INTRODUCCIÓN: La epilepsia del lóbulo temporal se desarrolla como consecuencia de insultos cerebrales como trauma, infartos, infección o convulsiones. Los circuitos neuronales del lóbulo temporal, incluyendo al hipocampo, se reorganizan generando redes hiperexcitables, el foco epiléptico, proceso denominado epileptogénesis; en cambio, la corteza cerebral es más resistente a la reorganización. La epileptogénesis en el hipocampo está mediada en parte por óxido nítrico, sintetizado por la óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal y por la neurotrofina BDNF, cuyo receptor es TrkB. Estas proteínas están localizadas en las sinapsis excitadoras y podrían estar implicadas en la sensibilidad diferencial entre el hipocampo y corteza cerebral a la epileptogénesis. OBJETIVO: Lograr un acercamiento a los mecanismos que participan en la sensibilidad diferencial a la epileptogénesis entre el hipocampo y la corteza, después de convulsiones. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se indujeron convulsiones en ratas mediante inyección de kainato. Se obtuvieron membranas sinápticas reselladas (sinaptosomas) de corteza e hipocampo. En ellas, se cuantificó la co-localización de óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal, TrkB y un marcador de sinapsis excitadoras (Prosap2) mediante técnicas inmunohistoquímicas. Los resultados expresados como por ciento promedio +/- error estándar se sometieron a prueba de t-student. RESULTADOS: TrkB y óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal aumentaron de 20,6 +/- 3,5 por ciento a 35,7 +/- 2,6 por ciento (p = 0,0008) y de 32,4 +/- 3,8 por ciento a 51,5 +/- 3,5 por ciento (p = 0,0003), respectivamente, en sinaptosomas excitadores hipocampales después de convulsiones. En sinaptosomas excitadoras de cerebro corteza no se observaron cambios significativos. DISCUSIÓN: óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal y TrkB se asocian a sinapsis excitadoras hipocampales después de convulsiones, pudiendo contribuir así a la epileptogénesis. La cerebrocorteza es resistente a esta reorganización molecular.

INTRODUCTION: Temporal lobe epilepsy develops as a consequence of brain insults such as trauma, stroke, infection, or seizures. The temporal lobe circuit, including the hippocampus, reorganizes generating hyper-excitable networks and, therefore, the epileptic focus, process called epileptogenesis. Where as, the cerebral cortex is more resistant to the reorganization. Temporal lobe epileptogenesis is mediated partly by neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the neurotrophin BDNF with its receptor TrkB. These proteins are localized at excitatory synapses and might be involved in the differential sensitivity of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex to epileptogenesis. OBJECTIVE: Getting closer to mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis differential sensitivity between the hippocampus and cortex after seizures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seizures were induced in rats by injection of kainic acid. Resealed synaptic membranes (synaptosomes) were obtained from cortex and hippocampus. Then the co-localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, TrkB and a marker of excitatory synapses (Prosap2/Shank3) was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The results were expressed as mean +/- standard error and subjected to t-student test. RESULTS: TrkB and neuronal nitric oxide synthase increased from 20.6 +/- 3.5 percent to 35.7 +/- 2.6 percent (p = 0.0008) and from 32.4 +/- 3.8 percent to 51.5 +/- 3.5 percent (p = 0.0003), respectively in excitatory hippocampal synaptosomes after seizures. In excitatory cerebrocortical synaptosomes no significant changes were observed. DISCUSSION: neuronal nitric oxide synthase and TrkB associate to excitatory hippocampal synapses after seizures, thereby probably contributing to epileptogenesis. The cerebral cortex is resistant to this molecular reorganization.

Reduced hippocampal GABAergic function in Wistar audiogenic rats

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder associated with excitatory and inhibitory imbalance within the underlying neural network. This study evaluated inhibitory γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA)ergic modulation in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of male Wistar rats and Wistar audiogenic rats (aged 90 ± 3 days), a strain of inbred animals susceptible to audiogenic seizures. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spike complexes in response to Schaffer collateral fiber stimulation were recorded in hippocampal slices before and during application of picrotoxin (50 µM, 60 min), a GABA A antagonist, and the size of the population spike was quantified by measuring its amplitude and slope. In control audiogenic-resistant Wistar rats (N = 9), picrotoxin significantly increased both the amplitude of the population spike by 51 ± 19 percent and its maximum slope by 73 ± 21 percent. In contrast, in slices from Wistar audiogenic rats (N = 6), picrotoxin caused no statistically significant change in population spike amplitude (33 ± 46 percent) or slope (11 ± 29 percent). Data are reported as means ± SEM. This result indicates a functional reduction of GABAergic neurotransmission in hippocampal slices from Wistar audiogenic rats.

Dieta cetogénica en epilepsia refractaria: eficacia, evolución y complicaciones a largo plazo / Ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy: efficacy, evolution and long-term complications

Background: Ketogenic diet (KD) represents an alternative in treatment of refractory epilepsy (RE). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the diet and the frequency of complications in patients belonging to the KD Program from Luis Calvo Mackenna Children's Hospital (HLCM). Methods: Evaluation of all children enrolled in the program between 1999 and 2004, with analysis every 6 months of the diet efficacy, digestive tolerance, nutritional status, cholesterol levels and nephrolithiasis. Results: 21 children were admitted, 14 boys, age between 6 months - 17 years-old. 76 percent, 71 percent and 67 percent of patients followed KD at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively, with KD efficacy of 67 percent. At 12 months, 24 percent of patients did not present seizures. At 18 months, 85 percent remained close to ideal body weight (15 percent obesity) and height/age Z score decreased (-0,7 +/- 0,4; p < 0,05). Total cholesterol significantly increased at 6 months (64 percent hypercholesterolemia; decreased to 15 percent at 18 months). 2 patients developed nephrolithiasis. Conclusions: The study shows high efficacy of the KD for treatment of refractory epilepsy, with low rate of complications. It should be considered as a therapeutic alternative for these patients.

La dieta cetogénica (DK) es una opción de tratamiento en epilepsia refractaria (ER). En Chile no hay estudios publicados al respecto. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la dieta en el control de las convulsiones y la frecuencia de complicaciones en los pacientes del programa de DK, para el tratamiento de ER, del Hospital Luis Calvo Mackena (HLCM). Pacientes y Método: Evaluamos todos los niños ingresados al programa entre 1999-2004. Para efectos de este trabajo se consideró el control al ingreso y cada 6 meses, evaluándose: eficacia de la dieta, tolerancia digestiva, evolución nutricional, niveles de colesterol plasmático y litiasis renal. Resultados: Ingresaron 21 niños de 6,2 años (6 meses a 17 años), 14 de sexo masculino. A los 6, 12 y 18 meses, 76 por ciento, 71 por ciento y 67 por ciento de los pacientes, respectivamente, se mantenía en dieta. La eficacia del tratamiento fue 67 por ciento. A los 12 meses, 24 por ciento de los pacientes estaba sin crisis. A los 18 meses 85 por ciento de los pacientes estaba eutrófico y 15 por ciento obeso. Se observó deterioro en la talla (delta zT/E -0,7 +/- 0,4; p < 0,05). El colesterol total aumentó significativamente a los 6 meses, encontrándose el 64 por ciento hipercolesterolémico; a los 18 meses este porcentaje se redujo a 15 por ciento. Dos pacientes presentaron litiasis renal (9 por ciento). Conclusiones: Este estudio muestra una muy buena eficacia de la dieta cetogénica para el tratamiento de la epilepsia refractaria, y una baja frecuencia de complicaciones, por lo que debería ser considerada como alternativa terapéutica en estos pacientes.

Relación entre niveles de carbamazepina en saliva y plasma: Estudio piloto / Saliva and plasma levels of carbamazepine have a poor correlation: a pilot study

Abstract: Carbamazepine is one of the most commonly used anticonvulsants for the treatment of epilepsy and its plasma concentrations must be monitored periodically to obtain a useful and safe clinical effect. There is not a good relationship between the dose of the carbamazepine and their effects in humans, but the effects of this drug have been well correlated with its plasma levels. Aim: To measure the correlation between plasma and saliva levels of carbamazepine in children with epilepsy. Material and Methods: Saliva and plasma levels of carbamazepine were measured by using instrumental planar chromatography in 11 epileptic children aged 8 to 15 years treated with the drug for at least six months. Results: The mean saliva/plasma ratio was 0.18±0.05 and the mean of carbamazepine concentration in saliva, expressed as a percentage of concentrations in plasma, was 17.97±5.40. There was a poor linear correlation (r =0.37) between the concentrations of carbamazepine in both fluids. Conclusions: In this group of epileptic children the correlation between saliva and plasma carbamazepine levels was weak.

Farmacocinética poblacional de carbamacepina en pacientes epilépticos adultos / Population pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in adults with epilepsy

The aim of the present study was to determinate the factors affecting carbamazepine (CBZ) clearance (CL) in adults with epilepsy using a mixed-effect model and sparse data collected during routine clinical care. The patient population comprised 104 adults receiving CBZ. A total of 161 CBZ steady state serum concentration samples were analyzed. Population CL was calculated by using NONMEM with a one compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. The following covariates were tested for their influence on clearance (CL): total body weight, age, dose/day, sex, surface area (SA) and comedication with primidone (PRIM), valproic acid or phenytoin (DFH). The final regression model for carbamazepine clearance found best to describe the data was: CL = (0.614 SA + 0.0016 dose/day)(1 + 0.278 DFH)(1 + 0.326 PRIM).

El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar los factores que influyen en el aclaramiento (CL) de carbamacepina (CBZ) en pacientes epilépticos adultos usando un modelo de efectos mixtos y datos de concentraciones séricas de CBZ generados del cuidado rutinario de los pacientes. El número de pacientes incluidos en el estudio fue de 104. Se analizaron un total de 161 concentraciones séricas de CBZ en el estado estacionario. El aclaramiento poblacional se determinó con el programa NONMEM aplicando un modelo monocompartimental con absorción y eliminación de primer orden. Se analizó la influencia de las siguientes covariables sobre el CL: peso corporal total, edad, dosis/día, sexo, superficie corporal (SC) y la comedicación con primidona (PRIM), ácido valproico o difenilhidantoína (DFH). El modelo final de regresión obtenido es el siguiente: CL = (0.614 SC + 0.0016 dosis/día)( 1+ 0.278 DFH)(1 + 0.326 PRIM).

Changes in the isoprenoid pathway with transcendental meditation and Reiki healing practices in seizure disorder.

A quantal perceptive model of brain function has been postulated by several groups. Reiki-like healing practices in seizure disorder (ILAE classification-II E-generalized seizures-tonic clonic), involving transfer of life force or low level of electromagnetic force (EMF) from the healer to the recipient patient, may act via quantal perceptive mechanisms. Increased synthesis of an endogenous membrane Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor digoxin and a related tyrosine / tryptophan transport defect has been demonstrated in refractory seizure disorder (ILAE classification-II E-generalized seizures-tonic clonic). Reiki-like healing practices in refractory epilepsy results in a reduction in seizure frequency. Reiki-like healing practices produce membrane stabilization and stimulation of membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity by quantal perception of low levels of EMF. The consequent intracellular hypermagnesemia inhibits HMG CoA reductase activity and digoxin synthesis resulting in the alteration of the neutral amino acid transport (tryptophan / tyrosine) defect. A hypothalamic digoxin-mediated quantal perception model of brain function is proposed. The phenomena of biological transmutation and consequent hypermagnesemia occurring in the resultant neuronal quantal state is also discussed.

Lamotrigina - novo adjuvante na terapia antiepiléptica / Lamotrigine - A novel comedication in the anticonvulsant therapy

A lamotrigina (LTG), derivado diclorofenílico da triazina-3,5-diamina, desenvolvido inicialmente como fármaco antifolato, em virtude de sua atividade anticonvulsivante tem sido proposto como adjuvante terapêutico no tratamento das epilepsias refratárias e naquelas não satisfatoriamente controladas por outros medicamentos. Aprovada pelo Food and Drug Administration, em 1994, é utilizada entre nós, na forma de comprimidos. Neste artigo de revisão são abordados os aspectos farmacológicos (esquema de dosagem, farmacocinética clínica, eficácia e farmacodinâmica), a importância de sua monitorização terapêutica bem como são apresentados os aspectos toxicológicos associados a seu uso terapêutico

Espectroscopia por ressonância magnética em epilepsia / Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in epilepsy

A evoluçäo da cirurgia para epilepsia vem sendo acompanhada por novos métodos de neuroimagem, näo só morfológicos, como, também, funcionais. Dentre esses últimos, destacamos a espectroscopia por ressonância magnética (ERM), de especial interesse deste artigo. A ERM parece ser promissora na definiçäo da identificaçäo do foco epileptogênico, pela demonstraçäo das alteraçöes dos metabólicos do fósforo (31P-ERM) e avaliaçäo pelo próton de H+ (1H-ERM). Reconhece-se a variaçäo da 1H-ERM normal, segundo alteraçöes idade-relacionadas, para localizaçäo do foco epileptogênico, no período interictal, pelas taxas de NAA (N-acetilaspartato), Cr (creatina) e Co (colina), e relaçöes NAA: Co e NAA: Cr; e no ictal, pelas mesmas taxas e pela avaliaçäo do lactato. A estimativa de aminoácidos neurotransmissores também auxilia nessa topografia. A ERM, em especial, a 1H-ERM, é de grande potencialidade no estudo bioquímico do cérebro, in vivo, e poderá vir a ter crescente importância no diagnóstico topográfico da regiäo epileptogênica dos pacientes com epilepsia, na dependência da idade e do local do foco

Salivary antiepileptic drug levels in Thai children.

A total of 123 patients were enrolled in this study. 88 patients were enrolled in the first stage of the study, which was to evaluate the commercial salivary collecting devices: Orasure and Omnisol. 35 patients were enrolled in the second stage of the study and were asked to spit whole saliva samples for further analysis of AED levels. Serum AED levels and corresponding saliva AED levels were paired and analyzed for the correlation coefficients with the linear regression model. None of the commercial salivary collecting devices can provide the linear regression correlation between the serum AED level and saliva AED level in all three AEDs studied. The correlation coefficients of serum and whole saliva AED levels of phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine were highly correlated (r-squared were 0.981, 0.976, and 0.888, respectively). Saliva samples can be used clinically to monitor the AEDs level in phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine. This would be another alternative method of therapeutic drug monitoring that can be done painlessly and is easier in children than the blood sampling method.

Background and paroxystic activities on AIDS patients' EEG

The HIV is responsible for important metabolic and structural alterations of the brain. This affected brain must react to continuous systemic metabolic fluctuations. We search for possibly resulting cerebral electric disturbance that could be found by EEG exploration. Sixty-three AIDS patients ranked as CDC group IV had their EEG background rhythm measured, and were appointed to mutually exclusiding groups delimited by medians'values of urea (24 mg/dl) and creatinine (0.9 mg/dl) seric concentrations. These groups were independently formed for each of the parameters utilized, and each data pair generated therefrom were compared between themselves to verify whether there were differences in background rhythm and the occurrence of paroxysmal activity. Background rhythm and paroxysmal activities have not statistically differed between the group whose creatinine values were lower than 0.9 mg/dl and the group whose creatinine values were equal or higher than 0.9 mg/dl. Background rhythm has not statistically differed between the group whose ures values were <24 mg/dl and the group whose urea values were =24 mg/dl; contrariwise, the occurrence of paroxysmal activities in these groups has significatively differed, being higher in the patient group whose otherwise normal urea values exceeded 24 mg/dl (0=0.02).

Hormonal changes in epileptic children with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

We studied the hormonal changes in 24 epileptic children with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Their ages ranged between 3 and 16 years with a mean of 9.08 +/- 4.05 years, 13 were males and 11 were females. Electroencephalographic studies showed high voltage slow waves pattern in 17 patients while computed tomography of brain was normal in all cases. As regards the acute changes following an attack, we found significant elevation of both prolactin and ACTH levels after 20 minutes, 1, 2, and 3 hours of seizure compared with baseline level [after 24 hours]. The increase in plasma ACTH level was accompanied with significant elevation in plasma cortisol level after 1, 2 and 3 hours of the seizure onset. Plasma TSH level after 1 and 2 hours were significantly higher than the baseline value. Early postictal significant elevation of growth hormone levels was observed after 20 minutes and 1 hour. Concerning chronic hormonal changes, we found that the baseline levels of prolactin, ACTH and cortisol in epileptic children with generalized tonic-clonic seizures were significantly higher than the levels recorded in healthy children while no significant differences could be detected as regards TSH and growth hormone. We suggest conducting other studies in pediatric age to assess the role of neurotransmitters in producing the variable hormonal changes following the onset of seizures

Epilepsia, neuroendocrinologia e obstetrícia / Epilepsy, neuroendocrinoly and obstetrins

Esta revisão levanta questões sobre hormônios, epilepsia e gravidez. A relação entre crises generalizadas ou parciais e hormônios é considerada, e também, o vínculo entre hormônios sexuais e crises como as catameniais. A redução da libido pode estar relacionada às drogas antiepiléticas (DAE) e distúrbios hormonais. As DAE podem induzir malformações congênitas e redução da eficácia de contraceptivos orais. A orientação sobre o cuidado da mulher epilética em idade procriativa pela Liga International contra a Epilepsia é apresentada.

Efecto antioxidante de los extractos fluido y de flavonoides del Plectrhantus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. (Oregano frances) / Antioxidative effect of fluid extracts and flavonoids from Plecthrantus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng

Se realizaron ensayos con los extractos de flavonoides y fluido de Plectrhantus amboinicus en un modelo de peroxidacion lipidica de tejido cerebral, comparados con un antioxidante clasico, el a-tocoferol. El extracto de flavonoides tuvo un efecto inhibidor sobre la formacion de productos reactivos al acido tiobarbiturico comparativamente mayor que el a-tocoferol, con una dosis de inhibicion 50 estimada en 10 mg/mL, mientras que para el a-tocoferol este valor oscila entre 40 y 50 mg/mL en el medio de reaccion. En cambio, el extracto de flavonoides alcanza el 100 porciento de inhibicion a los 90 g/mL y el extracto fluido a los 400 g/mL. Estos resultados pudieran relacionarse con los efectos antiepilepticos del oregano frances en varios modelos experimentales de epilepsia