Neuroendocrinology and Limbic Epilepsy: Relationships to Psychopathology, Seizure Variables, and Neuropsychological Function

Abstract

Correlations were sought among neuroendocrine, psychopathologic, neuropsychological, and seizure variables in 16 male patients with limbic epilepsy. Plasma prolactin and luteinizing hormone levels were directly correlated with seizure frequency. Plasma prolactin was inversely correlated with thought disorder. Post hoc findings included a strong direct correlation between total plasma testosterone levels and aggression. These relationships may help to elucidate mechanisms related to interictal symptomatology in patients with limbic epilepsy.

Psychopathology and Limbic Epilepsy: Relationship to Seizure Variables and Neuropsychological Function

“…Further relationships among the variables described in this article and neuroendocrine measures suggested to be of interest by Geschwind (1983) will be discussed in a companion paper (Leiderman et al, 1990). By attempting to elucidate the interrelationships among neurophysiologic, neuropsychological, endocrine, and psychopathologic factors in limbic epilepsy patients, the pathophysiology of this and other disorders that affect limbic function may be better understood.…”

The Relationship of Limbic Epilepsy to Pineal Melatonin Functions

“…Other studies found reduced gonadotrophin and testosterone plasma levels in the interictal state in male patients (Herzog et al. 1986 u ) and a direct correlation between seizure frequency and plasma prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (Leiderman et al, 1990). Herzog et al (1990) recently reported an abnormal pulsatile secretion of LH in men with complex partial seizures.…”

“…1984). Leiderman et al (1990) found plasma prolactin levels to inversely correlate with thought disorder. while plasma testosterone levels correlated with aggressive behavior.…”

The evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory of criminal behavior expanded

“…A number of experiments with laboratory animals have shown that exposure to androgens (or its metabolite estradiol) decreases the threshold at which the brain will seizure (Harden & MacLusky, 2004;Leiderman, Csernansky, & Moses, 1990;Mejıás-Aponte, Jiménez-Rivera, & Segarra, 2002). However, under some conditions, testosterone can also have anti-convulsant effects if its conversion to estradiol is blocked (Frye, Rhodes, Walf, & Harney, 2001).…”