Depression, Suicide Attempts Linked to Increased Unprovoked Seizure Risks

EpilepsyUSA staff
Posted: July 20, 2006

Histories of major depression and attempted suicide are risk factors for the development of unprovoked seizures, according to a recent study published in the January 2006 issue of the medical journal Annals of Neurology.

The data was collected via a population-based, case-control study of incident unprovoked seizure and newly diagnosed epilepsy among Icelandic children and adults. Approximately 324 cases were included, as well as 647 control subjects – all age 10 or older.

The results of the study reported patients with a history of depression alone were 50 percent more likely to develop seizures than those with no depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the likelihood of having seizures was 11 times higher for patients with a history of attempted suicide alone, and more than three times greater with a history of depression plus an attempted suicide.

"There appears to be an underlying susceptibility to epilepsy and major depression and suicidal behavior," said study leader Dale C. Hesdorffer, Ph.D., an a ssistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University and a member of the Epilepsy Foundation's professional advisory board. "We plan to follow up with studies designed to see whether the co-occurrence of these disorders is explained by shared genetic susceptibility, and with studies that examine possible common underlying neurotransmitter abnormalities."

"Because serious depression may antedate the onset of seizures and diagnosis of epilepsy, it is especially important for clinicians to be alert to the possibility of depression early on," added Bruce Hermann, Ph.D., chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's professional advisory board. "Screening and treatment of depression has been advocated for individuals with chronic epilepsy, but this study suggests that increased vigilance in persons with new onset epilepsy is critical, as well."