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Hormones and Epilepsy

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Atlas of Epilepsies

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Short Description

There are numerous and complex interactions between hormones, epilepsy and antiepileptic medications (AEMs), which can affect seizure frequency, weight, reproductive function, and quality of life. These factors should be considered and discussed with patients with epilepsy, and where endocrine or reproductive disorders are suspected, appropriate referrals should be sought.

In this section, influences of epilepsy and its treatment on hormones and, conversely, of hormones on epilepsy will be discussed, including evidence for changes associated with individual hormones, interactions with epilepsy medications, weight, stress hormones, and a review of gender-specific issues.

Introduction

There are reciprocal connections between the medial temporal lobe and the hypothalamus whereby seizures may cause an alteration in hypothalamic-pituitary function (Bilo and Meo 2006). Transient elevations in the levels of prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) have been noted following...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Sandra Petty & John Wark

  2. Bone and Mineral Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    John Wark

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  1. Sandra Petty
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  2. John Wark
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsies, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, UK

    C. P. Panayiotopoulos PhD, FRCP (MD) (MD)

  2. Department of Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK

    C. P. Panayiotopoulos PhD, FRCP (MD) (MD)

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Petty, S., Wark, J. (2010). Hormones and Epilepsy. In: Panayiotopoulos, C.P. (eds) Atlas of Epilepsies. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-128-6_228

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-128-6_228

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-127-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-128-6

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