Introduction The involvement of the orexin system is one of the unclear mechanisms in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Despite of supportive results of animal studies, there is lack of clinical data about the role of orexin-A in epilepsy. This study aims to investigate the role of orexin-A in generalized epilepsies by determining serum orexin-A levels of children with generalized epilepsies. Methods Twenty-one children aged between 3-18 years who were followed-up with the diagnosis of generalized epilepsy and 21 healthy subjects as a control group were included to this cross-sectional case control study. A detailed neurological examination and detailed history were performed on all the patients. Serum orexin-A levels of the subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results No significant difference was found between serum orexin-A levels of the patients with generalized epilepsy and the control group (2745.33±2240.53 pg/ml, 2674.3±1794.5 pg/ml respectively; p=0.91). Moreover, There was no significant relationship between serum orexin-A levels and seizure frequencies, types, or electroencephalographic findings (all p>0.05). Conclusion This is the first clinical study investigating the role of orexin system in childhood generalized epilepsies and the possible relations between serum orexin-A levels and the patient characteristics affecting the course of disease. The study showed that serum orexin-A levels did not significantly differ between children with generalized epilepsies and the healthy control group.

Gunce Basarir
University of Health Sciences Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital
Turkey

Banu Isbilen Basok
University of Health Sciences Behcet Uz Training and Research Hospital
Turkey

Nihal Olgac Dundar
Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine
Turkey

Pinar Gencpinar
Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine
Turkey