Vulnerability to psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is linked to low neuropeptide Y levels

TY - JOUR

T1 - Vulnerability to psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is linked to low neuropeptide Y levels

AU - Winterdahl, Michael

AU - Miani, Alessandro

AU - Vercoe, Moana

AU - Ciovica, Antonia

AU - Uber-Zak, Lori

AU - Rask, Charlotte Ulrikka

AU - Zak, Paul

PY - 2017/11/2

Y1 - 2017/11/2

N2 - Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a conversion disorder that reflects underlying psychological distress. Female patients with PNES often present with a history of prolonged stressors, especially sexual abuse. In the current study, we studied the relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and PNES symptoms in women with a history of sexual abuse. NPY has been associated with resilience to stress and we hypothesized that low levels would increase the extent and severity of PNES symptoms in this patient population. Serum levels of NPY, and related hormones were measured in fifteen female PNES patients and sixty female controls. PNES patients reported more severe abuse histories, feeling of abandonment, and decreased perception of quality of life than controls. Importantly, they also had lower NPY levels. Our analysis indicates that low levels of NPY in PNES may confer greater vulnerability to exhibit seizure-like symptoms and lower quality of life

AB - Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a conversion disorder that reflects underlying psychological distress. Female patients with PNES often present with a history of prolonged stressors, especially sexual abuse. In the current study, we studied the relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and PNES symptoms in women with a history of sexual abuse. NPY has been associated with resilience to stress and we hypothesized that low levels would increase the extent and severity of PNES symptoms in this patient population. Serum levels of NPY, and related hormones were measured in fifteen female PNES patients and sixty female controls. PNES patients reported more severe abuse histories, feeling of abandonment, and decreased perception of quality of life than controls. Importantly, they also had lower NPY levels. Our analysis indicates that low levels of NPY in PNES may confer greater vulnerability to exhibit seizure-like symptoms and lower quality of life

KW - PNES

KW - NPY

KW - cortisol

KW - ACTH

KW - negative life events

KW - stress

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029695369&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/10253890.2017.1378638

DO - 10.1080/10253890.2017.1378638

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28927333

SN - 1025-3890

VL - 20

SP - 1

EP - 9

JO - Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress

JF - Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress

IS - 6

ER -