Molecular and cellular biomarkers in status epilepticus and epilepsy

Abstract

Summary. Introduction. Peripheral biomarkers have numerous uses in the treatment, prognosis, and pharmacovigilance of epilepsy. Unfortunately, no peripheral biomarker has demonstrated proven efficacy, although several options are being investigated. In this article, we want to analyze the main areas in which peripheral biomarkers can present their usefulness, including participation in the processes of inflammation, dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, changes in metabolism, hormones, and growth factors. Material and methods. Publications on diagnostic biomarkers of epilepsy were reviewed. References were identified by PubMed, MEDLINE and Scopus search until June 2022, with various combinations of the terms – „epilepsy”, „seizures”, „epileptogenesis”, „biomarkers”, „neuroimaging”, „inflammation”, „status epilepticus”, „prognosis”. A qualitative and analytical study was performed focused on primary studies published in 2020-2022. More than 85 sources were identified and 33 were selected for analysis from the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus online databases. 12 articles, 5 clinical trials, 2 meta-analyses, 7 reviews, and 7 systematic reviews were identified. Results. Screening articles from online databases according to the search criteria, we found 258 titles on molecular and cellular biomarkers in epilepsy highlighted. The final bibliography included 33 sources that summarized that biomarkers of epileptogenesis are expensive and difficult to research, but the identification of biomarkers specific to the entire epileptogenic process, in close proximity to neuronal damage, have demonstrated the possibility of predicting the risk of seizures, epilepsy and resistance to treatment. Conclusions. Epilepsy remains a continuous area of research; a special role is occupied by specific biomarkers of great clinical importance, being necessary for the prognosis of the disease, the risk of neurological sequelae, refractory to anti-epileptic drugs. Thus, their identification could have a significant impact on the clinical course of the disease.