Affiliations: Dr. Behcet Uz Child Disease and Pediatric Surgery
Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkiye | Uzman Tip Medical Center, Izmir, Turkiye
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Aycan Ünalp, Arıkent Sitesi-2, E-1
Blok, Kat 3, Daire 7, 25320 Narlı dere Izmir, Turkiye. Tel.: +90 505 221 1693;
Fax: +90 232 3668530; E-mail: aycanunalp@mynet.com
Abstract: There are interesting evidences for the involvement of the
neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the mechanism of
epileptogenesis. In this study we measured the serum concentrations of
brain-derived neurotrophic factor in children with epilepsy and age-matched
healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the
mean serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in epileptic
children (13.8 ± 1.1 ng/mL) and age-matched healthy
controls (13.9 ± 0.1 ng/mL). The mean concentration of
serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor was not different between generalized
epilepsy and partial epilepsy. We also did not find significant difference
regarding the associated clinical features of epilepsy (the presence of history
of febrile convulsion, cerebral palsy). However, epileptic children with mental
retardation showed lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
(P = 0.015). Here we studied serum brain-derived neurotrophic
factor concentration in a group of children without an active epileptogenesis
based on the clinical and electroencephalographic state. Brain-derived
neurotrophic factor concentrations should be investigated in children with
active epileptogenesis who had refractory epilepsy and epileptic
encephalopathy.
