Alcohol-Related Seizures

Molecular and neurologic responses to chronic alcohol use

“…Alcohol abuse accounts for 20–40% of all new-onset seizures seen in emergency departments, particularly in male patients between 30 and 60 years of age (Tardy et al, 1995; McMicken and Liss, 2011). Additionally, another large clinical study showed that alcohol use was one of the four leading etiologies for status epilepticus (Lowenstein and Alldredge, 1993).…”

“…Alternate causes for seizures other than alcohol withdrawal syndrome should be considered if there is no recent abstinence from drinking, if the patient has suffered from a traumatic event or has a fever, if the seizures are focal, and if the seizures occur more than 48 hours following an individual’s last drink (Bayard et al, 2004). Treatment and prevention of alcohol withdrawal seizures are remarkably resistant to traditional anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine or phenytoin but benzodiazepines are effective (Rogawski, 2005; McMicken and Liss, 2011). …”

Cardiac Arrest and Seizure Following Cannabis Overdose and Alcohol Withdrawal

“…Cannabis remains one of the most universally abused recreational drugs worldwide and its popularity has increased considerably due to the recent legalization and medicinal use [1][2][3][4][5]. Sometimes, cannabis overuse can lead to malignant arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest [5,6]. Alcohol withdrawal following binge drinking combined with cannabis abuse can lead to malignant arrhythmia, seizure, and at times culminating in cardiac arrest [2,5,6].…”

Acute symptomatic seizures

“…Alcohol-related seizures, through intoxication or withdrawal, account for up to 40% of emergency seizure presentations 29. Acute intoxication causes direct neuronal toxic effects, reducing inhibitory activity.…”