Epilepsy, depression, and growth hormone.

TitleEpilepsy, depression, and growth hormone.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsButler T, Harvey P, Cardozo L, Zhu Y-S, Mosa A, Tanzi E, Pervez F
JournalEpilepsy Behav
Volume94
Pagination297-300
Date Published2019 05
ISSN1525-5069
KeywordsAdult, Child, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Epilepsy, Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone, Human Growth Hormone, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Abstract

Depression affects a large proportion of patients with epilepsy, and is likely due in part to biological mechanism. Hormonal dysregulation due to the disruptive effects of seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis likely contributes to high rates of depression in epilepsy. This paper reviews the largely unexplored role of neuroendocrine factors in epilepsy-related depression, focusing on Growth Hormone (GH). While GH deficiency is traditionally considered a childhood disorder manifested by impaired skeletal growth, GH deficiency in adulthood is now recognized as a serious disorder characterized by impairments in multiple domains including mood and quality of life. Could high rates of depression in patients with epilepsy relate to subtle GH deficiency? Because GH replacement therapy has been shown to improve mood and quality of life in patients with GH deficiency, this emerging area may hold promise for patients suffering from epilepsy-related depression.

DOI10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.01.022
Alternate JournalEpilepsy Behav
PubMed ID30773449
PubMed Central IDPMC7980784
Grant ListR01 AG057681 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
UL1 RR024996 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
K23 NS057579 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR002384 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000038 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
Related Institute: 
Brain Health Imaging Institute (BHII)

Weill Cornell Medicine
Department of Radiology
525 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065