Post traumatic epilepsy: a review of scientific evidence.

ABSTRACT

Post traumatic epilepsy is the development of recurrent seizures following head trauma and has a high clinical relevance. Several risk factors including some genetic factors increase the susceptibility of post traumatic epilepsy. The precise mechanisms of epileptogenesis in post-traumatic epilepsy are still poorly understood. Many structural, physiologic and biochemical changes in the brain may account for epileptogenesis. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially *OH and excitotoxicity are primarily involved. Antioxidants, like tocopherol, antiepileptic drug zonisamide, condensed tannins, melatonin, adenosine, trans-resveratrol, and some other agents have been proposed to prevent epileptogenic focus formation. The review also discusses various aspects of post traumatic epilepsy, mechanisms of epileptogenesis, and clinical implications.