Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviewsJan 11, 2019

Daily timing of emotional brain seizures: Possible causes and timing-based treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (mTLE) is characterized by complex partial seizures that are influenced by the body's internal clock.

The rhythmic occurrence of spontaneous seizures in mTLE suggests a link to the body's endogenous clock system.
Circadian rhythms may also be disrupted by the presence of epilepsy.
Temporal dysregulation of the circadian clock in the hippocampus, along with multiple uncoupled oscillators, may contribute to periodic seizures and related conditions.
Further research could reveal associations that inform the development of chronotherapy for mTLE.
Differential dosing of antiepileptic drugs according to the circadian cycle may enhance seizure management in mTLE patients.

Simplified

Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (mTLE) characterized by progressive development of complex partial seizures originating from the hippocampus is the most prevalent and refractory type of epilepsy. One of the remarkable features of mTLE is the rhythmic pattern of occurrence of spontaneous seizures, implying a dependence on the endogenous clock system for seizure threshold. Conversely, circadian rhythms are affected by epilepsy too. Comprehending how the circadian system and seizures interact with each other is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of epilepsy as well as for developing innovative therapies that are efficacious for better seizure control. In this review, we confer how the temporal dysregulation of the circadian clock in the hippocampus combined with multiple uncoupled oscillators could lead to periodic seizure occurrences and comorbidities. Unraveling these associations with additional research would help in developing chronotherapy for mTLE, based on the chronobiology of spontaneous seizures. Notably, differential dosing of antiepileptic drugs over the circadian period and/or strategies that resynchronize biological rhythms may substantially improve the management of seizures in mTLE patients.

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Daily timing of emotional brain seizures: Possible causes and timing-based treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

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