Interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1beta production in patients with focal epilepsy: A video–EEG study

Abstract Experimental and clinical studies have shown that prolonged seizures result in increased cytokine production in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to examine plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in 20 patients with epilepsy undergoing a video–EEG study. Plasma samples were obtained at the onset of the recordings and 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the index seizure. Localization of the seizure focus and classification of epilepsy was based on concordant electroclinical findings in the video–EEG study, and on MRI examination. Patients were divided into two groups: temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) ( n  = 11), and extratemporal lobe epilepsy (XLE) ( n  = 9). Results Only the TLE group showed significant increase in plasma levels of IL-6 peaking at 6 h postictally. Postictal plasma levels of IL-1RA and IL-1β did not significantly differ from baseline levels in either of the patient groups. IL-1RA showed a decreasing trend ( p  > 0.059) in TLE patients during 12 to 24 postictal hours. Conclusions This study further supports the role of focal seizures in regulation of cytokine responses.