Seizures in Autoimmune and Systemic Inflammatory Disorders: Immunologic, Genetic, Metabolic, and Lifestyle Modifiers

Seizures are increasingly recognized as a prominent manifestation of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders. Beyond classic autoimmune encephalitis, a wide range of conditions including systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, thyroid disease, and other immune-mediated or inflammatory state can predispose patients to seizures through mechanisms involving neuroinflammation, autoantibodies, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, and metabolic disruption. Advances in antibody testing, neuroimaging, and neurophysiology have improved detection of immune-mediated seizures; however, diagnostic delays and therapeutic uncertainty remain common, particularly in patients without overt encephalopathy. In parallel, emerging evidence suggests that metabolic status, sleep disturbance, stress, diet, and physical activity may influence immune activation and seizure susceptibility. Despite this, lifestyle and systemic modifiers are rarely integrated into current conceptual frameworks of autoimmune-related seizures. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective is needed to better understand how immune, metabolic, and lifestyle factors converge to shape seizure expression and outcomes.The goal of this Research Topic is to advance in the understanding of seizures associated with autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders by integrating immunologic mechanisms with metabolic and lifestyle modifiers that can influence seizure risk, clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis. While immunotherapy has significantly improved outcomes in selected autoimmune epilepsies, many patients continue to experience refractory seizures, delayed diagnosis, or incomplete treatment response. This Research Topic aims to highlight emerging insights into immune-mediated epileptogenesis, including antibody-positive and seronegative mechanisms, cytokine-driven inflammation, and systemic immune dysregulation. In addition, it seeks to explore how metabolic factors, sleep disorders, psychological stress, diet, risky substances and physical activity may modulate immune activity and seizure thresholds. By bringing together clinical, translational, and population-based research, this collection aims to identify knowledge gaps, refine diagnostic strategies, and inform more personalized and holistic management approaches. Integrating immunologic and lifestyle perspectives may ultimately lead to improved seizure control and long-term outcomes for patients with immune-related seizure disorders.This Research Topic welcomes all article types accepted by the journal focusing on seizures in autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms of seizure generation• Seizures associated with systemic autoimmune or inflammatory diseases• Autoantibody-positive and seronegative autoimmune epilepsies• Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction• Neuroimaging and neurophysiologic biomarkers in immune-mediated seizures• Metabolic, sleep-related, lifestyle, and substance-related factors influencing seizure susceptibility, including alcohol, recreational drugs, and prescription medications with pro-convulsant or immunomodulatory effects• Immunotherapy strategies and predictors of treatment response• Multidisciplinary and personalized approaches to managementBoth adult and pediatric studies are welcome. Contributions bridging clinical neurology, neuroimmunology, lifestyle medicine, and substance-related risk factors are particularly encouraged. Topic editors: Shirin Jamal-Omidi, Maria Guadalupe Zavala-Cerna Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79215/seizures-in-autoimmune-and-systemic-inflammatory-disorders-immunologic-genetic-metabolic-and-lifestyle-modifiers