Seizure threshold

The term seizure threshold is used to describe the balance between excitatory (<a href="/facts/Glutamine/t94zX4SK">glutaminergic</a>) and inhibitory (<a href="/facts/GABA/vRTeQQUG">GABA</a>-ergic) forces in the brain which affect how susceptible a person is to <a href="/facts/Seizure/zuIrQyze">seizures</a>. Those diagnosed with <a href="/facts/Epilepsy/wawyp56a">epilepsy</a> or certain other neurological conditions are more vulnerable to seizures if the threshold is reduced, and should be compliant with their <a href="/facts/Anticonvulsant/uR8cxJbj">anticonvulsant</a> drug regimen.
Medications that lower seizure threshold include the <a href="/facts/Antidepressant/N62ND3Fa">antidepressant</a> and <a href="/facts/Nicotinic_antagonist/3U1fdaks">nicotinic antagonist</a> <a href="/facts/Bupropion/wjWDPxmr">bupropion</a>, the atypical <a href="/facts/Opioid/EGnE2x99">opioid</a> <a href="/facts/Analgesic/xLj4XBcq">analgesics</a> <a href="/facts/Tramadol/R0tYqres">tramadol</a> and <a href="/facts/Tapentadol/m5Im6Nvr">tapentadol</a>, <a href="/facts/Reserpine/Hkb4T1oE">reserpine</a>, <a href="/facts/Theophylline/qJzjQVB2">theophylline</a>, antibiotics (<a href="/facts/Fluoroquinolones/1jRTHzYW">fluoroquinolones</a>, <a href="/facts/Imipenem/MV44hs5V">imipenem</a>, <a href="/facts/Penicillin_side_effects/5HSkYY0y">penicillins</a>, <a href="/facts/Cephalosporin/WeB7I75T">cephalosporins</a>, <a href="/facts/Metronidazole/pY5K5twk">metronidazole</a>, <a href="/facts/Isoniazid/kaFX7E6u">isoniazid</a>) and <a href="/facts/Volatile_anesthetics/INHvFCPk">volatile anesthetics</a>. So can other factors, including:

<ul><li>sleep deprivation</li>
<li>illicit drug use, such as <a href="/facts/Cocaine/rdQP4zwF">cocaine</a></li>
<li>withdrawal from drugs or certain stimuli</li>
<li>fever</li>
<li>exposure to flashing or flickering lights (<a href="/facts/Photosensitive_epilepsy/zeEPG4U9">photosensitive epilepsy</a>) including neon lights, strobe lights, video games or even patterns like narrow stripes</li>
<li>lengthy periods of fasting, <a href="/facts/Malnutrition/KasQy5MR">malnutrition</a>, starvation, high stress, fear, fatigue and exhaustion</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Menstruation/7cv4HzLe">menstruation</a></li>
<li>uncontrolled diabetes, and</li>
<li>other endocrine and metabolic irregularities like electrolyte or hormonal imbalances (for example, <a href="/facts/Metabolic_alkalosis/M4KlT5b7">metabolic alkalosis</a>)</li></ul>
Cancer and certain disorders of the nervous, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems can also influence the severity and frequency of seizures.

Seizure threshold open-in-new

Seizure threshold