[Neuroendocrine disorders observed in the post-critical phase in epileptic patients]

In 10 epileptic patients with generalized seizures, plasma levels of ACTH, prolactin, FSH, LH, TSH, were measured first within 60 minutes after the crisis, then 3 to 5 days later without changes in antiepileptic drugs. Within 1 hour after the seizure, a significant rise of ACTH and prolactin 3 - 4 folds the levels observed in the 2nd measure was present. This was compared to measures made within 1 hour after a syncope in which case it was not present. The post-critic rise of ACTH and prolactin would appear to be a characteristic of generalized epileptic seizures.