Mood bipolar disorders and epilepsy: a literature review

Previously highlighted by authors (such as Griesinger, Kraepelin), the association between mood bipolar disorders and epilepsy is a source of renewed interest, from the clinical, therapeutic and neuro-scientific perspectives. The authors of this article propose a review of the international literature on this topic, over the last twelve years. Relatively rare at an epidemiological level, the prevalence of bipolar disorders among epileptic patients is of the order of 0.1 to 5%. At a clinical level, it is possible to distinguish peri-ictal, inter-ictal bipolar disorders and those provoked by medical, surgical and electrical treatments of epilepsy. It seems that bipolar disorders have clinically specific characteristics (rapid cycles, less severe symptoms with each episode), where there is an association with epilepsy. The mood disorders induced by epilepsy constitute the principal differential diagnosis to be considered. Classic antiepileptic medication would certainly be the first line treatment; adjuvant Lithium therapy can be included. The new generation anti-epileptics are a source of hope and open an ethical perspective in the area of clinical research.