Catamenial epilepsy as a possible reason for therapeutic resistance and a review of the therapeutic strategies
Keywords:
catamenial seizures, hormonal treatment, non-hormonal treatmentAbstract
Catamenial epilepsy is a relatively common condition, characterized either with de novo appearance or exacerbation of epileptic seizures in relation to the menstrual cycle phases. Pathogenesis is related to the cyclic changes in the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone, and to the active progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone, withdraw. Catamenial epilepsy should be considered in fertile patients with refractory epileptic seizures. A seizure diary is imperative in the management of epilepsy, as well as in choosing a therapeutic strategy. In patients with catamenial exacerbation of seizures, both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment in different dose regimes were applied in addition to regular anti-seizure drugs with varying results. Future expectations are related to further studies to provide more information and guidance to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2019 Nikolina Semerdjieva, F. Alexiev
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