Stress, seizures, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis targets for the treatment of epilepsy

► Emotional stress has long been thought to influence seizure occurrence. ► Stress hormones may influence neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility. ► The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may regulate both stress and seizures. ► Aspects of glucocorticoid receptor function may be targets for medications.