Immunological aspects of epilepsy.

Epileptogenic activity can be provoked in animals by topical application on the cerebral cortex of antiserum to brain tissue. Several patients with epilepsy have an immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency, which may be caused by antiepileptic drugs (drug-induced) or may apparently be associated with the epileptic condition (drug-independent). Deficiency of secretory IgA may pre-dispose the patients for recurrent upper respiratory infections. Some antiepileptic drugs may also reduce the number of circulating T-lymphocytes.