Generalized Epilepsies: Immunologic and Inflammatory Mechanisms

This article focuses on the inflammatory processes in patients with generalized epilepsies. We specifically review the data regarding West, Lennox-Gastaut, and Landau-Kleffner syndromes as they have generalized clinical or electroencephalogram features. There is substantial evidence for a pathogenic...

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Published inSeminars in pediatric neurology Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 214 - 220
Main Authors Carvalho, Karen S., MD, Walleigh, Diana J., MD, Legido, Agustín, MD, PhD, MBA
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2014
Subjects
Animals
Electroencephalography
Encephalitis - etiology
Epilepsy, Generalized - complications
Epilepsy, Generalized - immunology
Epilepsy, Generalized - therapy
Humans
Immune System - physiopathology
Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use
Neurology
Pediatrics
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Summary:This article focuses on the inflammatory processes in patients with generalized epilepsies. We specifically review the data regarding West, Lennox-Gastaut, and Landau-Kleffner syndromes as they have generalized clinical or electroencephalogram features. There is substantial evidence for a pathogenic implication of immune mechanisms in these epilepsies. Animal models and abnormalities in both cellular and humoral immunity support this hypothesis. They also appear to be particularly responsive to immunomodulatory therapies, which has raised the speculation that an unbalanced immune system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of these epileptic syndromes. In this article, we discuss clinical and experimental data that support the potential implication of immune mediated inflammation and immune response in the mechanism of these entities.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:1071-9091
1558-0776
DOI:10.1016/j.spen.2014.08.003