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Exacerbation of Seizures in Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Due to an α 1 ‐Adrenergic Antagonist
Author(s) -
Iváñez Vicente,
Ojeda Joaquín
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00646.x
Subject(s) - antagonist , adrenergic antagonist , epilepsy , anticonvulsant , adrenergic , excitatory postsynaptic potential , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , temporal lobe , neuroscience , adrenergic receptor , medicine , exacerbation , pharmacology , endocrinology , psychology , receptor
Summary: Purpose: We describe the first reported case of a proconvulsant effect of an α 1 ‐adrenergic antagonist in humans. Methods: A patient with medial temporal lobe seizures (MTLE) had increased seizure frequency after treatment with tamsulosin, an α 1 ‐adrenergic antagonist. Results: Experimental evidence suggests that noradrenaline, which has inhibitory effects on the excitatory synaptic response, can act as a powerful anticonvulsant. Mostly, α 2 ‐adrenoreceptors, but also α 1 ‐adrenoreceptors, have been implicated in this effect by different experimental models. Clinical reports of a proconvulsant or anticonvulsant effect of drugs that act through the adrenergic pathway are scarce. Conclusions: This is the first report of a proconvulsant effect by an α 1 ‐adrenergic antagonist in humans and suggests that α 1 ‐adrenoreceptors may be involved in modulating noradrenergic activity in the limbic region.