SynthesisEpilepsia open2025
The use of steroids in adult epilepsy: A systematic review.
Synthesis in Epilepsia open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The use of steroids in adult epilepsy: A systematic review.Epilepsia open · 2025Pooled it
- Pharmacological assessment of drugs retained in the 1Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Article
- GABACellular and molecular neurobiology · 2026Review
- Pregnanolone-Based Prodrugs as a Strategy for Neuroprotective Drug-Like Compounds: Pregnanolone Pyroglutamate and Its Age‑dependent Anticonvulsant Effects in the 6-hz Seizure Model in Immature Rats.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026Article
- Chorea-acanthocytosis masquerading as a progressive seizure disorder with apparent early immunotherapy responsiveness.BMJ neurology open · 2026Article
- Autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitis-associated neuronal autoantibodies with serial EEG in adults with unexplained new-onset seizures or worsening epilepsy.Epilepsia open · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe objective of this study is to systematically review the clinical studies investigating the use of steroids in adult epilepsy.
methodsThis systematic review utilized Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) to examine literature on the use of steroids in adult epilepsy. Three databases, Embase, PubMed and Medline, were searched and clinical studies fitting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included for review.
resultsThere were 4333 articles retrieved after duplicates were removed and 16 met the inclusion criteria. Three of these studied corticosteroid use in seronegative autoimmune epilepsies. There was one study that examined the use of corticosteroids in adult-onset Rasmussen's Encephalitis. There were three studies which described the use of neurosteroids in various forms of adult epilepsy. The remaining 9 studies were pertaining to the use of corticosteroids in refractory status epilepticus. SIGNIFICANCE: Steroids show favorable outcomes in many forms of adult epilepsy. Yet, there is a paucity of data supporting implementation of this treatment in practice. High-level evidence such as Randomized-Controlled Trials investigating the use of corticosteroids in adult epilepsy are required, particularly those examining seronegative autoimmune epilepsy and refractory status epilepticus given the prevalence of these conditions and lack of treatment options. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Epilepsy, characterized by repeated seizures often without a known cause, is initially treated with anti-seizure medications. However, about one third of patients do not become seizure-free with medication. Steroids, known for their anti-inflammatory effect, are now being trialed as a seizure treatment for difficult to control seizures because uncontrolled seizures are thought to cause inflammation in the brain. However, the use of steroids as a treatment for uncontrolled seizures has not been researched widely. This article reviews studies exploring the use of steroids in adult epilepsy and finds that there is some evidence that steroids may be able to improve seizures in some cases. Yet, further research is needed to better understand the effect and benefits of steroids in managing epilepsy.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.