Role of the oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. We still do not know all mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. In this article we wanted to review role of the oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. First, we described what is oxidative stress and what is its mechanism of action. Some important reactive species are described. We also accentuated hypersensitivity of nervous system to the action of reactive oxidizing substances. In the main text, we described the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and disorders in calcium homeostasis as epileptogenic factors. We summarized laboratory parameters that can be used as indicators of oxidative stress in epilepsy. Especially, the influence of oxidative stress on glutamate transporter activity was described. Involvement of Nrf2 in the pathogenesis of epilepsy was also explained. At the end, we presented some of clinical studies that described correlation between oxidative stress and epilepsy.