A hypothesis to integrate partial seizures of temporal lobe origin and reproductive endocrine disorders.

Recent demonstrations of an association between reproductive endocrine disorders and partial seizures of temporal lobe origin (TLE) have led to the following hypothesis: (1) TLE may promote the development of reproductive endocrine disorders, (2) reproductive endocrine disorders may promote the development of epileptic discharges, and (3) TLE and associated reproductive endocrine disorders may represent the parallel effects of prenatal factors which are common to the development of both the brain and the reproductive system. This article focuses on clinical and animal investigative data that form the basis of this hypothesis.