TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex differences in the epilepsies and associated comorbidities
T2 - Implications for use and development of pharmacotherapies
AU - Christian, Catherine A.
AU - Reddy, Doodipala Samba
AU - Maguire, Jamie
AU - Forcelli, Patrick A.
N1 - Funding Information:
Address correspondence to: Dr. Catherine A. Christian, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 407 S. Goodwin Ave., 524 Burrill Hall, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Urbana, IL. E-mail: cathchri@illinois.edu This work was supported by National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Grants R01 NS105825 (to C.A.C.); R03 NS103029 (to C.A.C.); R21 NS052158 (to D.S.R.); R01 NS051398; CounterACT Program U01 NS083460 (to D.S.R.); R01 NS102937 (to J.M.); R01 NS105628 (to J.M.); R01 NS097762 (P.A.F.)] and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Grant R01 HD091994 (to P.A.F.)]. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.119.017392.
PY - 2020/10
Y1 - 2020/10
N2 - The epilepsies are common neurologic disorders characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures. Boys, girls, men, and women of all ages are affected by epilepsy and, in many cases, by associated comorbidities as well. The primary courses of treatment are pharmacological, dietary, and/or surgical, depending on several factors, including the areas of the brain affected and the severity of the epilepsy. There is a growing appreciation that sex differences in underlying brain function and in the neurobiology of epilepsy are important factors that should be accounted for in the design and development of new therapies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on sex differences in epilepsy and associated comorbidities, with emphasis on those aspects most informative for the development of new pharmacotherapies. Particular focus is placed on sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of various focal and generalized epilepsies; psychiatric, cognitive, and physiologic comorbidities; catamenial epilepsy in women; sex differences in brain development; the neural actions of sex and stress hormones and their metabolites; and cellular mechanisms, including brainderived neurotrophic factor signaling and neuronal-glial interactions. Further attention placed on potential sex differences in epilepsies, comorbidities, and drug effects will enhance therapeutic options and efficacy for all patients with epilepsy. Significance Statement--Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that often presents together with various comorbidities. The features of epilepsy and seizure activity as well as comorbid afflictions can vary between men and women. In this review, we discuss sex differences in types of epilepsies, associated comorbidities, pathophysiological mechanisms, and antiepileptic drug efficacy in both clinical patient populations and preclinical animal models.
AB - The epilepsies are common neurologic disorders characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures. Boys, girls, men, and women of all ages are affected by epilepsy and, in many cases, by associated comorbidities as well. The primary courses of treatment are pharmacological, dietary, and/or surgical, depending on several factors, including the areas of the brain affected and the severity of the epilepsy. There is a growing appreciation that sex differences in underlying brain function and in the neurobiology of epilepsy are important factors that should be accounted for in the design and development of new therapies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on sex differences in epilepsy and associated comorbidities, with emphasis on those aspects most informative for the development of new pharmacotherapies. Particular focus is placed on sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of various focal and generalized epilepsies; psychiatric, cognitive, and physiologic comorbidities; catamenial epilepsy in women; sex differences in brain development; the neural actions of sex and stress hormones and their metabolites; and cellular mechanisms, including brainderived neurotrophic factor signaling and neuronal-glial interactions. Further attention placed on potential sex differences in epilepsies, comorbidities, and drug effects will enhance therapeutic options and efficacy for all patients with epilepsy. Significance Statement--Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that often presents together with various comorbidities. The features of epilepsy and seizure activity as well as comorbid afflictions can vary between men and women. In this review, we discuss sex differences in types of epilepsies, associated comorbidities, pathophysiological mechanisms, and antiepileptic drug efficacy in both clinical patient populations and preclinical animal models.
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U2 - 10.1124/pr.119.017392
DO - 10.1124/pr.119.017392
M3 - Article
C2 - 32817274
AN - SCOPUS:85089769313
VL - 72
SP - 767
EP - 800
JO - Pharmacological Reviews
JF - Pharmacological Reviews
SN - 0031-6997
IS - 4
ER -