Biomarkers to Predict Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures - A Review of Current Literature

Abstract

Alcohol withdrawal seizures are one major complication during detoxification treatment of alcohol dependent patients. Anticonvulsive pharmaceutical treatment can be administered but is associated with side-effects like nausea or hyponatriemia. Recent studies have identified different biomarkers that have been associated with the risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures. The aminoacid homocysteine as well as prolactin have been described to be associated with this individual seizure risk. Furthermore, markers of alcohol dependence like carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) have been studied in this context. Also, genetic variants like the apolipoprotein E genotype have been found to be related to the history of withdrawal seizures. Knowledge and critical valuation of these recent findings on biomarkers may help to establish an assessment of the individual risk for withdrawal seizures and therefore may have important clinical implications.