Title:Association Between Seizures and Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive Review of Literature
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Author(s): Chen Yun and Wang Xuefeng
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Seizures, Diabetes Mellitus, Association, Pathogenesis, Treatment.
Abstract: Epilepsy or seizures are often observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and an emerging association
between the two diseases is more than coincidental based on recent research. Approximately 25% of patients with DM
experience different types of seizures. Furthermore, diabetic patients who experienced episodes of DKA also have seizures
more frequently. The precise pathogenesis of seizures in the diabetes patient remains undetermined. Currently, the
leading hypotheses in the literature suggest that multiple physiological factors, such as immune abnormalities, microvascular
lesions in the brain, local brain damage, metabolic factors and gene mutation, may contribute to this condition. To
date, there are no international criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Although it is commonly assumed
that antiepileptic drugs are necessary, most of the partial epilepsy patients with non-ketotic diabetes are resistant to frequently
used antiepileptic drugs. In contrast, partial status epilepticus can be treated by diazepam, and carbamazepine is
reported to be effective to some DM patients with epilepsy. However, anti-diabetic drugs are considered to be the most
important factors in the treatment of this condition. When the blood glucose levels gradually return to normal levels, patients
can no longer generate seizures even when antiepileptic drugs are discontinued.
