title: Thyroid hormones: Possible roles in epilepsy pathology.
abstract: Thyroid hormones (THs) L-thyroxine and L-triiodothyronine, primarily known as metabolism regulators, are tyrosine-derived hormones produced by the thyroid gland. They play an essential role in normal central nervous system development and physiological function. By binding to nuclear receptors and modulating gene expression, THs influence neuronal migration, differentiation, myelination, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis in developing and adult brains. Any uncorrected THs supply deficiency in early life may result in irreversible neurological and motor deficits. The development and function of GABAergic neurons as well as glutamatergic transmission are also affected by THs. Though the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown, the effects of THs on inhibitory and excitatory neurons may affect brain seizure activity. The enduring predisposition of the brain to generate epileptic seizures leads to a complex chronic brain disorder known as epilepsy. Pathologically, epilepsy may be accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and eventually dysregulation of excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission. Based on the latest evidence on the association between THs and epilepsy, we hypothesize that THs abnormalities may contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. We also review gender differences and the presumed underlying mechanisms through which TH abnormalities may affect epilepsy here.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhoseini
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tamijani
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Benyamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golpich
authors.affiliation: NeuroBiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dargahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Raymond Azman
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Norlinah Mohamed
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zahurin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Rghasemi60@sbmu.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Rasoul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: aahmadiani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abolhassan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmadiani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones
keywords: Brain development; Epileptogenesis; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Seizures; Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)