J Korean Epilepsy Soc.  2002 Jun;6(1):20-26.

The Significance of Homocysteine in Epileptic Patients

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Kyonggi-do, Korea. okjun77@cha.ac.kr
  • 2Institute for Clinical Research, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Kyonggi-do, Korea.
  • 3Department of Diagnostic radiology, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Kyonggi-do, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in epileptic patients receiving anticonvulsants, especially homozygotes for mtehylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene 677C->T mutation. Hyperhomocysteinemia induce atherosclerosis, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, etc. Therefore, we examined any other factors that might affect the level of homocysteine in epileptic patients.
METHODS
We investigated the plasma total homocysteine level in 145 patients with epilepsy. And then we analyzed various factors (clinical findings, neuro-image finding, drugs, MTHFR gene, serum folate and vitamin B12 level) affecting the level of homocysteine.
RESULTS
Among the various factors, male, present neurological deficits, frequent seizure attacks, MTHFR gene 677 TT genotype, polypharmacy, and conventional drug (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenobarbital, primidone, benzodiazpines) than new drug (lamotrigine, vigabatrin, topiramate, oxcarbazepine zonisamide) were related with elevated homocysteine levels.
CONCLUSION
We recommend monotherapy with new drugs and higher vitamin requirement in the male epileptic patients of MTHFR TT genotype with neurological deficits and frequent seizure attacks.

Keyword

Homocysteine; Drug; MTHFR gene; Neurological deficits

MeSH Terms

Anticonvulsants
Atherosclerosis
Carbamazepine
Epilepsy
Folic Acid
Genotype
Homocysteine*
Homozygote
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia
Male
Oxidoreductases
Phenobarbital
Plasma
Polypharmacy
Primidone
Seizures
Valproic Acid
Vigabatrin
Vitamin B 12
Vitamins
Anticonvulsants
Carbamazepine
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Oxidoreductases
Phenobarbital
Primidone
Valproic Acid
Vigabatrin
Vitamin B 12
Vitamins
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