Abstract
OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of sexual steroids on neural excitability, frequency and severity of seizures among epileptic women.
DEVELOPMENT: different topics related to sexual hormones synthesis, metabolism and mechanisms of action on neural tissue are reviewed, including their relation with the most important neurotransmiters, their influence on neuronal survival, differenciation and regeneration, as well as on mood, cognition, sensitive and motor response. The influence of the hormonal physiological changes through the menstrual cycle and the reproductive life of epileptic women, the most frequent endocrine disorders, and topics of catamenial epilepsy are also explored. Finally, some considerations about hormonal treatment of epilepsy and epilepsy and menopause are made.
CONCLUSIONS: enough evidence about the influence of steroidal hormones on the central nervous system is available. The knowledge of such interaction allows a comprehensive approach to epileptic women treatment and opens a wide field of research in the area.
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