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Reduced serum level of THDOC, an anticonvulsant steroid, in women with perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy
Author(s) -
Tuveri Antonella,
Paoletti Anna Maria,
Orrù Marisa,
Melis Gian Benedetto B.,
Marotto Maria Francesca,
Zedda Pierina,
Marrosu Francesco,
Sogliano Cristiana,
Marra Carla,
Biggio Giovanni,
Concas Alessandra
Publication year - 2008
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.1528-1167.2008.01555.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , menstrual cycle , neuroactive steroid , pregnenolone , pregnenolone sulfate , anticonvulsant , epilepsy , hydrocortisone , hormone , gabaa receptor , receptor , androgen , steroid , psychiatry
SummaryPurpose: Seizure exacerbation in catamenial epilepsy (CE) is associated with the decrease in progesterone secretion and increase in estradiol secretion during the premenstrual period. Moreover, experimental evidence suggests that tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), a positive modulator of the type A receptor for γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), a negative modulator of this receptor, might play a crucial role in modulating seizure frequency during the menstrual cycle. Following these studies it seems of interest to investigate possible variations, among other hormonal parameters, of THDOC and DHEAS in CE patients.Methods: The serum concentrations of progesterone (P4), pregnenolone, allopregnanolone (AP), THDOC, DHEAS, cortisol, and DHEAS/cortisol ratio were measured throughout the menstrual cycle at the 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, and 27th day from the onset of spontaneous menstrual blood loss in young premenopausal women with CE (n = 17) and age‐matched controls (n = 13).Results: At each time of the study, the serum concentration of THDOC and the DHEAS/cortisol ratio were lower (p < 0.05) in women with CE than in control women. The concentrations of P4, pregnenolone, and AP did not differ between the two groups of subjects.Conclusions: The reduced serum concentration of THDOC and the reduced DHEAS/cortisol ratio detected throughout the menstrual cycle in women with CE might play a role in CE. Moreover, the peculiar pattern of CE seizure exacerbation might suggest that these neuroendocrine variations are worth investigating in other epileptic syndromes, particularly in those characterized by relevant and uncontrolled variations in seizure frequency.