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Serum prolactins in the diagnosis of epilepsy

Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value

Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, and the Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Serum prolactin levels rise after generalized tonic-clonic and partial complex seizures, but not after pseudoepileptic seizures. The criteria for a significant elevation in serum prolactin vary with individual investigators. The prevalence of pseudoseizures in the population studied determines the predictive value of serum prolactin determinations. In populations where most patients have epilepsy, a rise in serum prolactin is highly predictive for true epilepsy, but no increase in serum prolactin is not predictive for pseudoseizures.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Yerby, Epilepsy Center ZA-50, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

Supported by NIH grant #NS-17111.

Received April 7, 1986. Accepted for publication in final form October 31, 1986.

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