Catamenial epileptics: plasma cortisol and seizure occurrence following medication

ABSTRACT

A controversy appears regarding the involvement of hormones in the occurrence of seizures in epileptic patients. We have recently reported the pattern of seizure occurrence and its relationship to oestrogen and progesterone concentrations during menstruation related cycle phases [MRCP], premenstruation [PRMP], menstruation [MP] and post-menstruation [POMP]. The present communication deals with the catamenial [n = 10; age range 13-32] as well as noncatamenial epileptics [n 23; age range 12-40] under study periods of nonmedication [NMSP] and medication [MSP]. Our results did not show significant differences in cortisol levels [nmol/1] during MRCP in noncatamenial and catamenial epileptics from those in various cycle phases of controls except during PRMP [P< 0.05] in relation to increased seizure occurrence in catamenial epileptics. Relationship between cortisol and seizure occurrence seems evident and possibly the catamenial exacerbation of seizures is partly due to increased cortisol levels during PRMP