title: Key issues in addressing the comorbidity of depression and pediatric epilepsy.
abstract: Depression is a common comorbidity associated with epilepsy. However, the etiology of depression is difficult to establish given the heterogeneity in both epilepsy and depression. Nevertheless, the co-occurrence is so common that a bidirectional relationship between depression and epilepsy has been theorized. Persons with temporal lobe seizure foci and partial-onset epilepsy may be more vulnerable to the development of depression. In pediatrics, depression differs but may be readily identified by understanding nuances of mood states and variability of neurovegetative symptom presentation. Although no clear treatment guidance exists in the context of epilepsy, antidepressants have been relatively well studied in pediatrics and are effective and well tolerated. Anticonvulsant drugs may also improve depressive symptoms though clinical research is lacking in pediatrics. Treatment of depression may independently improve outcome for epilepsy and for quality of life. Future studies will clarify etiologies of depression in the context of epilepsy and improve the evidence base for treatment outcomes.
authors: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 716 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: salpekar@kennedykrieger.org.
authors: Jay A
authors: JA
authors: Salpekar
authors: Imperial County Behavioral Health Services, 202 N 8th St, El Centro, CA 92243, USA.
authors: Gaurav
authors: G
authors: Mishra
authors: Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 3501 Mills Ave., Austin, TX 78731, USA.
authors: Aaron J
authors: AJ
authors: Hauptman
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Depression; Diagnosis; Epilepsy; Pediatrics; Treatment