WONOEP appraisal: Biomarkers of epilepsy‐associated comorbidities
Abstract
Neurologic and psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy. Diagnostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of such comorbidities do not exist. They may share pathogenetic mechanisms with epileptogenesis/ictogenesis, and as such are an unmet clinical need. The objectives of the subgroup on biomarkers of comorbidities at the XIII Workshop on the Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP) were to present the state‐of‐the‐art recent research findings in the field that highlighting potential biomarkers for comorbidities in epilepsy. We review recent progress in the field, including molecular, imaging, and genetic biomarkers of comorbidities as discussed during the WONOEP meeting on August 31–September 4, 2015, in Heybeliada Island (Istanbul, Turkey). We further highlight new directions and concepts from studies on comorbidities and potential new biomarkers for the prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy‐associated comorbidities. The activation of various molecular signaling pathways such as the “Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription,” “mammalian Target of Rapamycin,” and oxidative stress have been shown to correlate with the presence and severity of subsequent cognitive abnormalities. Furthermore, dysfunction in serotonergic transmission, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis, the role of the inflammatory cytokines, and the contributions of genetic factors have all recently been regarded as relevant for understanding epilepsy‐associated depression and cognitive deficits. Recent evidence supports the utility of imaging studies as potential biomarkers. The role of such biomarker may be far beyond the diagnosis of comorbidities, as accumulating clinical data indicate that comorbidities can predict epilepsy outcomes. Future research is required to reveal whether molecular changes in specific signaling pathways or advanced imaging techniques could be detected in the clinical settings and correlate with epilepsy‐associated comorbidities. A reliable biomarker will allow a more accurate diagnosis and improved treatment of epilepsy‐associated comorbidities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1111/epi.13652
Entities
People
- Adam L. Numis
- Alon Friedman
- Amy R. Brooks‐kayal
- Andréy Mazarati
- Antoine Depaulis
- Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Filiz Y. Onat
- Raman Sankar
- Teresa Ravizza
Organizations
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
- Dalhousie University
- French National Institute of Health and Medical Research
- Israel Science Foundation
- Marmara University
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
- Seventh Framework Programme
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
- United States Department of Defense