Effects of epilepsy on autonomic nervous system and respiratory function tests

We have investigated autonomic nervous system function during the interictal period in epileptic patients and the possible effects of autonomic dysfunction on respiratory functions. A total of 32 epileptic patients (23 generalized, 9 partial epilepsy) and 32 healthy volunteers were involved. Sympathetic skin response (SSR), for evaluating the sympathetic nervous system, and RR interval variation (RRIV) were measured at the beginning and third month of antiepileptic treatment, and respiratory function tests (RFTs) were performed. In patients with partial epilepsy, SSR latency in the upper extremity (1.3 ± 0.2 s) was longer than that of controls (1.2 ± 0.3 s) at baseline ( P=0.05), and was significantly reduced (1.1 ± 0.3 s) after treatment ( P