Neurol. praxi. 2013;14(4):197-199

Alcohol and epilepsy - how to treat?

MUDr.Ivana Tyrlíková

Centrum pro epilepsie Brno, 1. neurologická klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny, Brno

Alcohol consumption is very high in the Czech Republic and this gives rise to a considerable public health problem. The link between

epilepsy and alcohol consumption is definite. Epileptic seizures are three times more frequent in abusers and increase with the amount

per day of alcohol consumed. Both intoxication and withdrawal are recorded as the risk factors, but the withdrawal seizures attracts the

most of attention. Long-term alcohol abuse impairs regulation of the NMDA and GABA-A receptors. The sudden deficit of alcohol results

in alcohol withdrawal seizures. A manifestation of alcoholic epilepsy varies with respect to length of abuse. There are seizures related to

withdrawal period at the first stage, seizures appearance in both withdrawal phase and consumption phase at the second stage and

finally irreversible third stage of alcoholic epilepsy (Bartolomei, 2006). Epilepsy suffered by alcohol abusers can also have the same kinds

of etiology as it has in general population (e.g.post-traumatic, post-stroke etc.) The chronic alcohol abuse influences also the metabolism

of an AED that reduces level of the AED within the blood plasma. The repeatedly abstaining abusers (may be for the treatment of abuse)

should be observed carefully. Recent studies conclude the antiepileptic treatment of alcohol abusers is necessary. However, the epilepsy

and alcohol abuse treatment should be linked together.

Keywords: alcoholic epilepsy, etiology, treatement, AED, blood plasma levels

Published: October 1, 2013  Show citation