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Plasma homocysteine is a predictor of alcohol withdrawal seizures.

Abstract
An adaptive consequence of prolonged ethanol consumption is a compensatory up-regulation of NMDA receptors in certain brain areas. Taking into account that homocysteine and its breakdown products (i.e. homocysteic acid) are putative neurotransmitters and agonists at the NMDA receptor, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of levels of homocysteine on alcohol withdrawal seizures. Six patients with chronic alcoholism who suffered from withdrawal seizures had significantly higher levels of homocysteine on admission (84.7 +/- 29.8 micromol/l) than patients (n = 26) who did not develop seizures (30.2 +/- 23.2 micromol/l; U = 8.0, p = 0.0007). Furthermore, seizure patients had significantly lower levels of folate and significantly higher blood alcohol concentrations. Using a logistic regression analysis, withdrawal seizures were best predicted by a high homocysteine level on admission (p < 0.01; odds ratio = 1.05). Homocysteine levels on admission may be a useful screening method to identify patients at risk for withdrawal seizures.
AuthorsS Bleich, D Degner, B Bandelow, N von Ahsen, E Rüther, J Kornhuber
JournalNeuroreport (Neuroreport) Vol. 11 Issue 12 Pg. 2749-52 (Aug 21 2000) ISSN: 0959-4965 [Print] England
PMID10976956 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Homocysteine
  • Ethanol
  • Folic Acid
Topics
  • Adult
  • Ethanol (adverse effects, blood)
  • Female
  • Folic Acid (blood)
  • Forecasting
  • Homocysteine (blood)
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Seizures (blood, chemically induced)
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (complications)

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