The Relationship Between Epilepsy and Depression: An Update

Abstract

Several population-based studies and clinical data suggest the presence of strict relationships between epilepsy and depression. The incidence of depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy is significantly higher than in the general population or in patients with other neurological disorders or chronic diseases, as shown by the majority, albeit not all, findings. Even the rate of suicide is higher in epileptic patients than in the general population. Such observations suggest the existence of common neurobiological substrates involving hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as disturbances of different neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature on the prevalence, clinical manifestations and etiology of depression in epilepsy, with a particular focus on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms shared by the two conditions. In spite of the large amount of data, several questions remain open and further studies are necessary to explore more thoroughly the complex and bidirectional relationships between epilepsy and depression.

Panax Notoginseng Saponins: A Review of Its Mechanisms of Antidepressant or Anxiolytic Effects and Network Analysis on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

“…Clinical depressed patients are characteristic of its disproportionate, emotional depression, being not commensurate with their situation, low self-esteem, and even pessimism, including depressed mood from depression to grief. Some may have suicide attempts or behaviors [ 5 , 6 ]; in severe cases, there may be hallucinations, delusions, and other psychotic symptoms [ 7 ]. The pathogenesis and etiology of still remain unknown [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Psychiatric Assessment in Patients with Mild Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

“…Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the most common type of focal epilepsy in adulthood, is frequently associated with psychiatric disorders [1, 2], which mainly occur in the form of depression and generalized anxiety disorders [3].…”

Suicidality in epilepsy: epidemiology and clinical risk factors

“…Многочисленными исследованиями подтверждено, что психические расстройства существенно повышают риск как появления суицидальных мыслей, так и развития суицидального поведения. Это справедливо как для популяции в целом, так и в отношении больных эпилепсией [13,21,[62][63][64][65][66], среди которых психические расстройства встречаются достоверно чаще [25]. Так, в популяционном исследовании, проведенном J. Christensen и соавт.…”