Posttraumatic epilepsy

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this study is to focus on recent advances in understanding of the genetic and epidemiologic risk factors, development, modeling, and prevention of epilepsy after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Recent findings: Epidemiologic data suggest that the epileptogenic period after TBI in humans may last longer than previously thought. Depression was found to be an important risk factor for posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). Once PTE has developed, it remits less often than previously reported. Moreover, patients with PTE appear to have a higher mortality rate than patients with TBI without epilepsy. In animal models it was reported that in addition to rats, also mice develop PTE. Furthermore, the immature rat brain is sensitive to TBI-induced epileptogenesis. The development of a lowered seizure threshold after TBI can be alleviated by pharmacotherapy in rats.

Summary: These observations provide small but encouraging steps towards a better understanding of the mechanisms of posttraumatic epileptogenesis, which is a key to developing a cure for this condition.