Serum Prolactin in epileptic and pseudo seizures in children

Prolactin is secreted from the anterior pituitary and is inhibited by tubero-infundibular dopamine neurons in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus. Abnormal electrical discharge passing through the hypothalamus may disrupt the normal functioning. Generalized neuronal discharge of a seizure stimulates the hypothalamus either directly, through specific neurotransmitter changes (↓ed in GABA and dopaminergic system), or through the release of other substance, there by causing increase in serum prolactin during epileptic form seizures. Acute changes in serum prolactin levels which occurred following some of the seizure may be useful in differentiating epileptic seizure from non epileptic seizures.