Alterations in pain responsiveness and serum biomarkers in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: an age- and gender-matched controlled pilot study. (February 2016) - Jakobsen, Lydia Anja
Introduction: Serum levels of several biomarkers along with sensory responsiveness were investigated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients in comparison with healthy controls.Methods: Ten epileptic patients (36.1 ± 3.4 years) and ten gender- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Mechanical sensitivity, cold pressor tolerance and serum levels of BDNF, CGRP, PGE2, S100B and TNF-α were investigated.Results: Mechanical sensitivity to pinprick was lower in patients (p < 0.05) while cold pain tolerance threshold was higher. Serum level of BDNF was higher in patients compared with controls (p < 0.01). The same pattern was evident for CGRP (p < 0.05). Serum level of PGE2 was lower in patients (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients had an altered serum biomarker pattern and sensory perception in comparison with controls.