Title : Modulation of trace elements in Indian epileptic patients undergoing antiepileptic drug therapy
Abstract:
Background: Epilepsy is a common and very heterogeneous neurologic disorder. It is a disturbance of sensation, behavior, emotion, or motor function resulting from the rapid and local discharges of gray matter. A seizure's incidence and recurrence may be facilitated by altered serum levels of zinc, chromium, and copper.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of epilepsy and prolonged antiepileptic drug therapy on serum concentrations of essential trace elements, including zinc, chromium, and copper, in the Indian population.
Methods: The trace element level was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace spectrometer (PerkinElmer, model no. PinAAcle 900 T).
Results & Discussion: The level of Cr (p<0.0001) in the blood serum of epileptic patients is lower as compared to the control. Cr is associated with reduced glucose tolerance, hyperglycaemia, relative insulin resistance, peripheral neuropathy, and metabolic encephalopathy. There was a significant difference in the level of Zn (p<0.0001). The hippocampus and cerebral cortex contain higher levels of Zn, and when depleted, it can affect homeostasis and result in changes in behavior, learning, memory, and emotional stability. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of Cu in the case and control (p<0.2647). Copper associates various enzymes and can generate reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative damage in uncontrolled settings.
Conclusions: Our study reveals a significant correlation between trace element levels and epilepsy, implying the potential for tailored treatment strategies to enhance seizure management and patient outcomes
Keywords: Epilepsy, Trace element, Seizure, antiepileptic drugs.
