Monoamine metabolism study in severe, early-onset epilepsy in childhood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible dysfunction of monoamine metabolism in patients with early-onset, epileptic encephalopathies.


METHODS
The CSF dopamine, serotonin and biopterin metabolites were studied in 37 patients with severe, mostly drug-resistant epilepsy.


RESULTS
No significant abnormality was found, whatever the type of epilepsy, cryptogenic or symptomatic.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study failed to demonstrate that dysfunction of the main neurotransmitters pathways is a common phenomenon in children with early-onset, severe epileptic encephalopathy.
Echenne
Bernard
B
Child Neurology Department, Université de Montpellier, France. b-echenne@chu-montpellier.fr
Roubertie
Agathe
A
Leydet
Julie
J
Rivier
François
F
Hoffmann
Georg Friedrich
GF
D017668:Age of Onset; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines