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Sex differences in seizure types and symptoms
Chad Carlson1, Patricia Dugan2, Heidi E Kirsch3
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Males with generalized epilepsy (GE) reported more atonic seizures. Females with nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE) experienced more autonomic, visual, and psychic symptoms, including déjà vu. These sex differences in epilepsy symptoms warrant further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epilepsy Research
- Sex Differences in Medicine
Background:
- Limited data exist on sex differences in epilepsy seizure types and semiology.
- The Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP) collected extensive data on epilepsy patients.
- This study leverages the EPGP cohort to investigate sex-based variations in epilepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore sex differences in seizure types.
- To investigate sex differences in focal seizure symptoms (semiology).
- To analyze data from a large, well-characterized epilepsy cohort.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed the EPGP database for individuals with generalized epilepsy of unknown etiology (GE) and nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE).
- Analyzed demographic data, seizure types, and focal seizure semiologies.
- Compared symptom frequencies between males and females across different epilepsy types.
Main Results:
- Males with GE reported atonic seizures more frequently than females.
- Females with NAFE reported autonomic, visual, and psychic symptoms more frequently than males.
- Déjà vu was a more common psychic symptom in females with NAFE.
Conclusions:
- Sex-based differences exist in specific seizure types and symptoms in epilepsy.
- Atonic seizures are more prevalent in males with GE.
- Autonomic, visual, and psychic symptoms are more common in females with NAFE.
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