From the Research
Elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP) are indeed related to epilepsy, with research indicating a significant association between inflammation and epilepsy, as shown in a 2019 meta-analysis 1.
Key Findings
- The relationship between CRP and epilepsy appears bidirectional, with inflammation potentially contributing to seizure development and seizures triggering inflammatory responses.
- Elevated CRP levels may serve as a biomarker for seizure risk and disease severity, with some studies indicating that higher CRP levels correlate with increased seizure frequency, as noted in a 2021 study on status epilepticus outcome prediction 2.
- The underlying mechanism involves inflammation disrupting the blood-brain barrier and altering neuronal excitability, which can lower the threshold for seizures.
Therapeutic Implications
- Some anti-inflammatory treatments may potentially benefit certain patients with epilepsy, though this approach is not yet standard clinical practice.
- Regular monitoring of CRP levels might be valuable in epilepsy management, especially in patients with treatment-resistant seizures or suspected inflammatory etiologies.
Supporting Evidence
- A 2012 study found that CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with refractory focal epilepsy compared to healthy controls, with a notable increase in CRP levels after secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures 3.
- A 2016 study highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between seizure-induced inflammation and infection, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of CRP levels and other inflammatory markers in patients with seizures 4.
- A 2023 review discussed the roles of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies to ameliorate neuronal damage in epilepsy, including anti-inflammatory therapies and antioxidant therapies 5.