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The term seizure threshold is used to describe the balance between excitatory (glutaminergic) and inhibitory (GABA-ergic) forces in the brain which affect how susceptible a person is to seizures. Those diagnosed with epilepsy or certain other neurological conditions are more vulnerable to seizures if the threshold is reduced, and should be ...
Buspirone augmentation was not found to increase the discontinuation success rate. [86] Caffeine may worsen withdrawal symptoms because of its stimulatory properties. [25] At least one animal study has shown some modulation of the benzodiazepine site by caffeine, which produces a lowering of seizure threshold. [87]
A seizure may increase the likelihood that more seizures will occur; an old saying in epilepsy research is "seizures beget seizures". [1] Repeated stimulation "lowers the threshold" for more seizures to occur. [4] The brains of experimental animals are repeatedly stimulated, usually with electricity, to induce the seizures. [1]
This progressively lowers the threshold needed to cause alcohol-related brain damage and cognitive impairments, leading to altered neurological function. The changes in activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems is similar to that which occurs in individuals suffering from limbic or temporal lobe epilepsy. [5]
Antipsychotics are not recommended for benzodiazepine withdrawal (or other CNS depressant withdrawal states) especially clozapine, olanzapine or low potency phenothiazines, e.g., chlorpromazine as they lower the seizure threshold and can worsen withdrawal effects; if used extreme caution is required. [155]
Seizures carry the risk of major complications and death for individuals with an alcohol use disorder. [16] [13] Although the person's condition usually begins to improve after 48 hours, withdrawal symptoms sometimes continue to increase in severity and advance to the most severe stage of withdrawal, delirium tremens.
Although anxiety can temporarily increase as a withdrawal symptom, there is evidence that a reduction or withdrawal from benzodiazepines can lead to a reduction of anxiety symptoms in the long run. [4] [5] Due to these increasing physical and mental symptoms from long-term use of benzodiazepines, slow withdrawal is recommended for long-term users.
Heavy drinking in particular has been shown to possibly have some effect on seizures in epileptics. But studies have not found light drinking to increase the likelihood of having a seizure at all. [citation needed] EEGs taken of patients immediately following light alcohol consumption have not revealed any increase in seizure activity. [16]