The role of estrogens in catamenial exacerbation of epilepsy

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Abstract
Study of 25 patients with catamenial epilepsy revealed that such seizures occur primarily during the immediate premenstrual and menstrual periods. Study of 6 rabbits revealed a significant epileptogenic effect of estrogens when applied over an irritable cortical lesion produced by ethyl chloride spraying, as well as when injected intravenously in such animals. An activating effect also was observed in the electroencephalograms of 11 of 16 epileptic patients. Possibly, catamenial exacerbation of seizures in epileptic patients is due to increased estrogenic activity during the immediate premenstrual period.