Serum levels of
IgA were found to be reduced in some patients with
epilepsy. Further studies revealed that only epileptics with constitutional factors for
seizures showed, if ever,
IgA deficiency, particularly those treated with
hydantoins (up to 25%). In order further to substantiate the association of
immunoglobulin alterations with
epilepsy nine families in whom the disease was clustered were investigated. An
IgA deficiency was detected in 16 of the 19 epileptics (three without
hydantoin medication), but in none of their 45 non-epileptic relatives. However, four of the relatives had a low
IgM. Seven other families were tested in each of which only one
IgA deficient epileptic was known. No other family members were found with a low
IgA, but 24 of 58 such relatives had increased
IgM serum concentrations. The association of
IgA deficiency and
epilepsy with
IgM imbalances in relatives of
IgA deficient epileptics gives additional support for the hypothesis that immune imbalances and certain forms of
epilepsy might be linked.