Retinal Neuroaxonal Loss Detectable With Epilepsy
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2024 -- In people with epilepsy, progression of retinal neuroaxonal loss is detectable at short-term follow-up, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in Epilepsia.
Livia Stauner, from LMU University Hospital in Germany, and colleagues examined the longitudinal dynamics of retinal neuroaxonal loss and possible driving factors in 44 people with epilepsy versus 56 healthy controls (aged 18 to 55 years) who underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography.
The researchers found a significant decrease in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular RNFL, ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIP), and total macular volume thickness or volume over 7.0 months in people with epilepsy. The annualized percentage change of the pRNFL (−0.98/year) and the GCIP (−1.24/year) were significantly more pronounced in people with epilepsy versus controls. Atrophy of the macular RNFL was significantly influenced by the number of antiseizure medications and increasing age of people with epilepsy. However, contradictory results were seen for the impact of seizures.
“People with epilepsy who receive a high number of antiseizure medications seem to be at risk for accelerated neuroaxonal loss, stressing the importance of well-considered and effective antiseizure therapy,” write the authors.
Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
Random Forest AI Model Superior for Inpatient Mortality Prognostication in Cirrhosis
THURSDAY, July 24, 2025 -- For inpatients with cirrhosis, a machine learning (ML) model using random forest (RF) analysis is superior for prediction of inpatient mortality...
Inflammation and Nutrition-Based Scores Tied to Prognosis of Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome
THURSDAY, July 24, 2025 -- The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and systemic oxidative stress (SOS) score are independently associated with poorer prognosis of low-risk...
Few School Principals Report District-Mandated Mental Health Screening
THURSDAY, July 24, 2025 -- Few school principals report district-mandated mental health screening in schools, according to a study published online July 18 in JAMA Network...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.