Investigating the intersection between depression and epilepsy

Stress is a common trigger of seizures in people with epilepsy (PWE) and can lead to neuroendocrine impairments. The stress-response system can be affected by seizures and epilepsy. PWE frequently experience depression and are treated with antidepressants. However, antidepressants may increase the risk of development of epilepsy and affect epilepsy outcomes. I showed that epilepsy does not impair the stress-response system, although disturbances related to depression were found. Moreover, I showed that acute stress exerted antiseizure effects in some individuals. Finally, I provided evidence that antidepressants do not increase incidence of epilepsy and do not worse behavioural outcomes of epilepsy.