Vitamin B6 & Seizures

Vitamin B6, or pyroxidine, is part of the family of B vitamins. All B vitamins play a role in the metabolizing of fats, proteins and carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin B6 is closely associated with the functioning of your nervous system and is linked to seizure activity. Vitamin B6 is water-soluble and needs to be replenished through diet or supplement each day. Before using vitamin B6, contact your doctor.

Role of Vitamin B6

Brain development and function is dependent on vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is responsible for the making of neurotransmittors, the chemicals that relay signals between cells. It plays a role in the synthesizing of the hormones that govern mood, norepinephrine and serotonin, and the hormone melatonin, which regulates your internal clock. Vitamin B6 also works hand-in-hand with several other vitamins in ridding your body of the amino acid homocysteine, which is linked to heart disease.

Seizures

When the electrical firing of the brain discharges in an abnormal pattern, seizures occur. Much like the electrical system in your home, it may cause a large amount of energy to surge through the brain's circuitry and short out the system. This can lead to uncontrollable muscle contractions and unconsciousness. If the seizure is mild, it may only involve a small part of the brain and cause abnormal speech, uncontrollable movements and inattentiveness. There are different types of seizures and some may have a direct link to vitamin B6.

Pyridoxine-Dependent Seizures

Only 100 cases of pyridoxine-dependent seizures (PDS) have been reported in medical literature, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), although a 2009 article in the "European Journal of Pediatrics" states that 63 cases were reported in North America between 1999 and 2007. Seventy percent are neonatal cases and the others range between 11 months to 40 years of age. These seizures are intractable, or difficult to control, and do not respond to conventional anti-convulsant therapy. NORD explains that these individuals are not deficient in vitamin B6, but rather they are dependent on it to remain seizure-free during their lifetimes.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Severe vitamin B6 deficiency is unusual. It may manifest as confusion, irritability and depression. An electroencephalogram (EEG), which is used to diagnose neurological disorders such as epilepsy, may reveal abnormalities in vitamin B6 deficiency. A 2007 paper in the journal "Alternative Medicine Review" noted that because vitamin B6 regulates electrical brain activity, a severe deficiency may cause seizures. In individuals who have epilepsy, low levels of vitamin B6 have been found. In these cases, supplementation of B6 has proved to be helpful in reducing the frequency of seizures.