Hair lead and cadmium concentrations in patients with epilepsy and migraine

Abstract

Epilepsy and migraine are neurological manifestations of neurocutaneous diseases. The studies that investigate the etiology of these manifestations may illuminate the physiopathological bases of neurocutaneous disorders. The hypothesis that the elevation of toxic trace element concentration in the brain is an important triggering factor for seizures and subsequent neuronal damage in epilepsy and migraine was investigated in this clinical prospective study. The levels of two heavy metals (lead [Pb] and cadmium [Cd]) in scalp hair were measured in patients with epilepsy (n=33) and migraine (n=40) as well as healthy control subjects (n=26). The hair concentration of these two toxic trace elements was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. There was a significant increase in Pb concentration in epilepsy group when compared to both control (p<0.006) and migraine group (p<0.02). There was no difference in mean Cd concentration of hair from epilepsy, migraine patients and control groups. Therefore, no conclusive findings were obtained for CD. Elevated Pb content in epileptic patients was accepted as being of particular importance. Our findings support the hypothesis that the elevation in Pb concentration in the scalp hair amongst patients with epilepsy may show the elevation in the brain and constitute an important triggering factor for seizures.