Seizures in Multiple Sclerosis are, above all, a Matter of Brain Viability

Abstract

Objectives: Most patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) never have a seizure, although they are at risk for seizures since the onset of MS. This paradox leads us to suppose that MS plays a minor role in seizure generation and epileptogenesis. Methods: Qualitative study using data triangulation and inductive content analysis. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Results: In MS patients, unprovoked seizures occur rarely (in about 3 percent of cases). Pediatric MS involves seizures more common than adult or late-onset MS. In general, children with seizures do not have poorer MS prognoses than children without seizures. Contrary to the general population, seizures do not peak in older MS patients. Since the use of disease-modifying therapies in the treatment of MS (i.e., since 1993), the frequency of seizures in MS patients has not changed considerably. Epilepsy syndrome cannot be recognized in MS patients with seizures. As a rule, seizures in MS are not difficult to treat. A sudden unexpected death in MS patients with seizures has not been observed more commonly than in the general epilepsy population. A disruption of the blood–brain barrier is the most obvious proconvulsive factor of MS. However, neither MS relapses nor a high rate of MS relapses is normally accompanied by seizures. Structural brain abnormalities usually accumulate over the course of MS. However, a high brain magnetic resonance imaging lesion load does not have a substantial impact on seizure occurrence in MS. Conclusion: MS does not have a major role in seizure generation and epileptogenesis. In most cases, the seizure-promoting effects of MS can be successfully counteracted by the brain´s protective mechanisms.