Increased plasma levels of cytokines after seizures in localization-related epilepsy

Objectives - Experimental studies suggest increased cerebral production of inflammatory cytokines after prolonged seizures. Whether a single non-prolonged seizure in human patients is associated with activation of cytokine network is still unknown. Materials and methods - We studied the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), interlukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R and Gp130) in plasma after single seizures during video-EEG recordings in patients with chronic localization-related epilepsy. Results - The levels of IL-1ra and IL-6 were increased after seizures, whereas IL-1 beta and IL-6 cytokine receptors remained unchanged. Conclusions - These results show that only single seizures cause activation of cytokine cascade and associated inflammatory signals. In the case of recurrent seizures, these signals may result in structural changes in the nervous tissue, which are generally associated with drug refractory epilepsy.