Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing people to have recurring seizures. People with epilepsy may have strange sensations and emotions; they may simply stare blankly for a few seconds or may lose consciousness. It is thought that, since dopamine may play an important role in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and schizophrenia, it may play a role in epilepsy, too.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body. Dopamine affects the way the brain controls your movements. Disorders in dopamine levels cause a decline in memory, attention and problem-solving. Dopamine itself cannot cross the blood-brain-barrier, so injecting it does not get it to the brain. Instead, l-dopa, which is a precursor to dopamine that does cross blood-brain barrier, is often used.
Research
A study published in 2005 in the "Journal of Nuclear Medicine" found that people with epilepsy have abnormal levels of dopamine in the brain. The experiment involved 35 epileptic patients and 10 healthy volunteers. All the volunteers received the injection of F-fluoro-L-DOPA, a radiotracer that permits measurements of dopaminergic function in the brain. Compared to a group of healthy volunteers, patients from epilepsy group showed a reduction of F-fluoro-L-DOPA uptake, suggesting an impairment of dopamine activity.
Treatment
Epilepsy medications may prevent seizures as long as they are taken regularly. Vigabatrin is a newly licensed drug for use in patients with epilepsy, according to a study published in 1999 in "Lancet." Vigabatrin works in part by lowering the amount of dopamine in the brain. According to researchers, Vigabatrin is less effective but better tolerated than carbamazepine, which is the first-choice drug for the treatment of partial epilepsies. Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine and fenfluramine also help in reducing epileptic seizures, according to a study published in 1988 in "Epilepsy Research."
Side Effects
Like all drugs, epilepsy medicines have some side effects. The occurrence of side effects depends on the dose and the type of medication. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, side effects associated with epilepsy medication include double vision, weight gain, drowsiness, sleep disturbances and nausea. Epilepsy drugs may also produce changes in emotions, memory, or affect learning. People respond to medicine in different ways. Consult your doctor to know the right dose of the right drug for your epileptic seizures.
References
- Medline Plus: Epilepsy
- University of Texas: Dopamine- A Sample Neurotransmitter
- "Journal of Nuclear Medicine"; Involvement of the Basal Ganglia in Refractory Epilepsy: an 18F-fluoro-L-DOPA PET Study Using 2 Methods of Analysis; V. Bouilleret; March 2005
- "Lancet"; Safety and Efficacy of Vigabatrin and Carbamazepine in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: A Multicentre Randomised Double-Blind Study. Vigabatrin European Monotherapy Study Group; D. Chadwick; July 1999
- "Epilepsy Research"; Dopamine Agonist Treatment of Self-Induced Pattern-Sensitive Epilepsy. A Case Report; B. Clemens; September 1988
- Epilepsy Foundation: Side Effects
