DEPRESSIONS IN EPILEPSIA: PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, SYMPTOMS AND THERAPY

Abstract

The paper reviews the current data on the risk factors, pathogenesis, psychopathological symptoms and therapy of depression in patients with epilepsy. Depression predominantly occurs in patients with temporal epilepsy. The lateralization of the focus cannot be readily interpreted, although the literature indicates that depression occurs more often with left-sided foci. In their external manifestations, the episodes of depression in epilepsy can be fully the same as in any affective disorder. Treatment of depression is carried out without canceling therapy with antiepileptic drugs; the latter may have different impacts on the course of depression. In this respect, valproate, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine do not exacerbate depression. All of them, despite the differences in their mechanisms of action, have a common component – an increase in the serotonin level in the central nervous system. Among the drugs listed above, valproate is especially beneficial.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• depression
• risk factors
• psychopathology
• depression therapy.