Hypocalcemia-induced seizure: demystifying the calcium paradox

P Han, BJ Trinidad, J Shi - Asn Neuro, 2015 - journals.sagepub.com
P Han, BJ Trinidad, J Shi
Asn Neuro, 2015journals.sagepub.com
Calcium is essential for both neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction. Given these
important physiological processes, it seems reasonable to assume that hypocalcemia may
lead to reduced neuromuscular excitability. Counterintuitively, however, clinical observation
has frequently documented hypocalcemia's role in induction of seizures and general
excitability processes such as tetany, Chvostek's sign, and bronchospasm. The mechanism
of this calcium paradox remains elusive, and very few pathophysiological studies have …
Calcium is essential for both neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction. Given these important physiological processes, it seems reasonable to assume that hypocalcemia may lead to reduced neuromuscular excitability. Counterintuitively, however, clinical observation has frequently documented hypocalcemia’s role in induction of seizures and general excitability processes such as tetany, Chvostek’s sign, and bronchospasm. The mechanism of this calcium paradox remains elusive, and very few pathophysiological studies have addressed this conundrum. Nevertheless, several studies primarily addressing other biophysical issues have provided some clues. In this review, we analyze the data of these studies and propose an integrative model to explain this hypocalcemic paradox.
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