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Abstract Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency. Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) can only be diagnosed by electroencephalogram (EEG) because the motor clinical symptoms are usually subtle or absent, with high mortality. The best treatment is still unknown. Objectives: Our aim was to assess anticonvulsive and anesthetic drugs in NCSE and their correlation with Epidemiology-based Mortality Score in Status Epilepticus (EMSE), Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) and mortality. Methods: Retrospective, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Ninety patients in intensive care unit over 18 years-old (57 females [63.3%] and 33 males [36.6%], mean age 63.5 years [SD ± 19]) with NCSE, at the Buenos Aires British Hospital. Data was collected between January 2018 and June 2021. An adjusted mul tivariate statistical analysis was performed. Ninety-five (95%) CI, p<0.05 as statistically significant. EMSE and STESS were used in this study. Results: Total mortality rate was 37.8% (34/90), and in patients ≥ 65 years-old (54/90) it was 40.7% (22/54). Patients with 0-2 STESS (11/90) were discharged, while those with STESS ≥ 3 (79/90) had a 43% death rate (34/79). Patients with EMSE < 34 (27/90) had 7.4% (2/27) death rate, while those with EMSE ≥ 34 (63/90) had 50.8% (32/63). No significant differences were found in survival with regard to the number of antiepileptic drugs administered. Pa tients treated with anesthetics presented a 2.6-fold death risk increase (95% CI 1.001-6.83). Discussion: It could be assumed that mortality rate increases 2.6-fold when patients are treated with anes thetic drugs, regardless of the number of antiepileptic drugs previously administered.
Resumen Introducción: El estado de mal epiléptico (SE) es una emergencia neurológica. El SE no convulsivo (SENC) se diagnostica únicamente por electroencefalograma de bido a la ausencia o sutileza de sintomatología clínica motora, con una mortalidad elevada. No se conoce aún el mejor tratamiento. Objetivos: Evaluar drogas anticonvulsivas y anestési cas en el SENC y su correlación con Epidemiology-based Mortality Score in Status Epilepticus (EMSE), Status Epilep ticus Severity Score (STESS) y el índice de mortalidad. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional, de scriptivo, de corte transversal. Noventa pacientes ≥ 18 años (57 mujeres [63.3%] y 33 hombres [36.6%], media de edad 63.5 años [DS ± 19]) con diagnóstico de SENC, en el Hospital Británico. Estudio realizado entre enero 2018 y junio 2021. Análisis estadístico multivariado ajustado. IC 95% p< 0.05 como estadísticamente significativo. Se utilizaron escalas de EMSE y STESS. Resultados: La mortalidad total fue de 37.8% (34/90). Los pacientes ≥ 65 años (54/90) presentaron una mayor tasa de muerte 40.7% (22/54), todos aquellos con STESS de 0-2 (11/90) egresaron, mientras que entre los que presentaron ≥ 3 (79/90) el 43% (34/79) falleció. De los pacientes con EMSE < 34 (27/90) dos fallecieron (7.4%) y de aquellos con EMSE ≥ 34 (63/90) falleció el 50.8% (32/63). No hallamos diferencias significativas entre cantidad de drogas antiepilépticas utiliza das y supervivencia. Pacientes con anestésicos tuvieron un aumento del riesgo de muerte 2.6 veces (IC 95% 1.001-6.83). Discusión: De acuerdo a esto la mortalidad con drogas anestésicas aumenta, independientemente de la cantidad de drogas anticonvulsivas utilizadas previamente.
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OBJECTIVE Temporal lobe epilepsy is a common neurological disease caused by abnormal syn-chronized discharge in the brain and it is mainly treated through long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs(AEDs).This project is supposed to provide an electro-responsive and brain-targeted drug delivery system(DDS)for on-demand drug release,which could promptly block the transmis-sion of epileptic discharges.METHODS The DDS was fab-ricated by co-polymerization of dopamine and pyrrole,together with conjugation of brain-targeted peptide.A number of characterization including electron microscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,dynamic light scattering and other methods were conducted to evaluate the physio-chemical properties of the nanomaterials.In vitro study based on a home-made electric device and high perfor-mance liquid chromatography was performed to record drug release profiles.Three epileptic models including acute,continuous and spontaneous models were estab-lished for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.RESULTS Our polymeric DDS has a nanoscale size(ca.80 nm)and could load AEDs such as phenytoin(drug loading capacity 20.4%).The hybrid nanomaterials can improve the brain delivery efficiency through a combination of receptor-mediated transcytosis and near-infrared-enabled brain transport.In vitro study proved that the DDS could release phenytoin in the electric field in a sensitive(50 μA),quick(30 s)and sustained(>3 times)manner.In vivo study demonstrated excellent anti-epileptic effects in a lower dose(20%).Biosafety study further verified that our strategy has limited damage.CONCLUSION For on-demand seizure control,we have developed a nano-engineered DDS with the capability of electro-responsive drug release and brain-targeted accumula-tion.The DDS could increase the AEDs accumulation at epileptic region and release the AEDs in response to the epileptic discharges.Such strategy could timely inhib-it the epileptic seizure.Our work provides a promising approach to"smart"therapy of epilepsy and sheds light on development of pharmacotherapy of other brain disorders.
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Background: Pregnancy women with epilepsy may have higher chances of obstetric complications, aggregative seizures, major congenital malformations, and abnormal deliveries. Monotherapy or polytherapy of anti-epileptic drugs are usually associated with adverse outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of epilepsy and antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy on the fetomaternal outcome in pregnant women. Material and Methods: A total of 46 pregnant women with epileptic seizures between 18 and 35 years with mean age of 26.46 years were included in the study. The demographic, clinical, and obstetrical data were collected from the medical records. The AED monotherapy and polytherapy with drug dosage details were noted. The details of mode of delivery, outcome of seizures in post-natal period and fetal outcome were gathered. Results: About 65.21% cases were under AED polytherapy and 34.78% cases were under AED monotherapy. Majority cases had carbamazepine (CBZ) and sodium valproate mono and polytherapy. Majority had normal vaginal delivery (65.11%). Single or in combination use of sodium valproate, CBZ, and phenytoin are associated with major congenital malformations (9%). Postpartum hemorrhage was observed in 6.52% cases and postpartum seizure occurrence was observed in 8.69% cases. Conclusion: A well planned pregnancy, continuous monitoring for congenital malformations and fetal growth restriction is necessary in pregnant women under AED therapy for better maternal and fetal outcome.
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Background. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions in South Africa. Optimal care of these patients includes the prevention and control of post-traumatic seizures (PTS) in order to minimise secondary brain injury. Objectives. To describe the demographics of children admitted to a South African PICU, to describe the characteristics of PTS, and to describe the prophylactic and therapeutic management of PTS within the unit. Method. A 3-year retrospective chart review was conducted at the PICU of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Soweto, Johannesburg, from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018. Results. Seventy-eight patients were admitted to the PICU, all with severe TBI. A total of 66 patient files were available for analysis. The median age of admission was 6 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4 - 9) with the majority of trauma secondary to mechanical injury (89%). Prophylactic anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were initiated in 44 (79%) patients. Early PTS occurred in 11 (25%) patients who received prophylaxis and 4 (33%) who did not. Three (5%) patients developed late PTS, resulting in an overall incidence of PTS of 43%. The most common seizure type was generalised tonic clonic (82%). Children diagnosed with PTS were a median of 2 years younger than those without PTS, with increased prevalence of seizures (83% v. 38%) in children below 2 years of age. Maintenance therapy was initiated in all patients consistent with recommended dosages. Of the total 167 anti-epileptic levels taken during maintenance, only 56% were within target range. Of the initial 78 patients, 8 died (10%). The median length of stay was 7 (IQR 5 - 12) and 8 (IQR 8 - 24) days longer in ICU and hospital respectively, in children with PTS. Conclusion. PTS is a frequent complication of severe TBI in children. There was considerable variation in the approach to both prophylaxis and maintenance therapy of PTS in terms of choice of agent, dosage, frequency of drug monitoring and approach to subtherapeutic levels. It is clear that more high-level studies are required in order to better inform these practices
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Pediatrics , Seizures , Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic , Brain Injuries, Traumatic , Intensive Care UnitsABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the efficacy of phenytoin, valproate, andlevetiracetam in the management of pediatric convulsive statusepilepticus.Design: Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.Setting: Pediatric critical care division in a tertiary care institutefrom June, 2016 to December, 2018.Participants: 110 children aged three month to 12 year withconvulsive status epilepticus.Intervention: Patients not responding to 0.1 mg/kg intravenouslorazepam were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive 20 mg/kgof phenytoin (n=35) or valproate (n=35) or levetiracetam (n=32)over 20 minutes. Patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus,recent hemorrhage, platelet count less than 50,000 orInternational normalized ratio (INR) more than 2, head injury orneurosurgery in the past one-month, liver or kidney disease,suspected or known neurometabolic or mitochondrial disorders orstructural malformations, and allergy to study drugs; and thosewho were already on any one of the study drugs for more than onemonth or had received one of the study drugs for current episode,were excluded.Outcome measure: The primary outcome was the proportionof patients that achieved control of convulsive status epilepticusat the end of 15 minutes after completion of the study druginfusion. Secondary outcomes were time to control of seizure,rate of adverse events, and the requirement of additional drugsto control seizure, length of ventilation, hospital stay, andfunctional status after three months (Glasgow Outcome Scale).Results: The study was stopped after the planned mid-interimanalysis for futility. Intention to treat analysis was done. There wasno difference in primary outcome in phenytoin (31/35, 89%),valproate (29/35, 83%), and levetiracetam (30/32, 94%) (P=0.38)groups. There were no differences between the groups forsecondary outcomes. One patient in the phenytoin group had afluid-responsive shock, and one patient in the valproate groupdied due to encephalopathy and refractory shock.Conclusions: Phenytoin, valproate, and levetiracetam wereequally effective in controlling pediatric convulsive statusepilepticus
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@#Background & Objective: We knew that 63.6% of the epilepsy population can be seizure free with the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AED), but are unsure how many more with epilepsy surgeries. We aimed to determine the additional remission rate achieved with epilepsy surgeries in addition to AED. Methods: We analysed the seizure outcome among epilepsy patients seen retrospectively over oneyear period in University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, which provides all levels (level 1-4) of epilepsy cares, in response to anti-epileptic drug (AED) and epilepsy surgeries. The seizure outcome was categorised into remission and drug-resistant, according to ILAE definition of drug resistance. Results: There were 909 patients seen during the study period, majority with focal epilepsy (63.3%), and Chinese (37.4%). Of those, 409 (45.0%) were in seizure remission, 238 (26.2%) had drug-resistant epilepsy and 262 (28.8%) uncertain. Only the remission and drug-resistant groups (N=647) were included in subsequent analysis. The mean age of onset in drug-resistant group was 14.8±12.3 years old, which was significantly younger than the remission group (20.8±16.8, p<0.05). There were 40 (54.8%) patients who underwent resective epilepsy surgeries (10 were lesion-negative cases). The seizure freedom rate with epilepsy surgery was 60.0% (n=24). Overall, a total of 59.5% of patients were in seizure remission with AED, with an additional 3.7% with epilepsy surgery. Conclusion: There were 3.7% of epilepsy patients achieved seizure remission with epilepsy surgeries in a general epilepsy cohort in addition to AEDs.
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Background: The primary treatment for epilepsy is Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Non-compliance to AEDs can result in break-through seizure, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, fractures, head injuries and increased mortality. Thus, compliance to AEDs is crucial to be studied. Objective is to study compliance and factors influencing compliance with AEDs among patients with epilepsy.Methods: This observational study was conducted in 105 patients with epilepsy on AED therapy in community in Ludhiana (Punjab) after approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Demographic data and drug history was collected. Monthly follow up for 6 months was done by paying home visits and data regarding type, dose, frequency of administration of AED was recorded on a semi-structured performa. Pill count was done by recording number of pills dispensed and number of pills remaining with patient. Response to Morisky’s Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was also recorded. Results were correlated with patient demographics, type, frequency and number of AEDs.Results: Out of 105 patients, 65 were males and 40 were females. Fifty-four patients were non-compliant with both pill-count and MMAS. Non-compliance was high in first month and decreased gradually. Poly-therapy, lower socio-economic status and multiple dosing regimens were most commonly associated with non-compliance.Conclusions: Under-dosing was more common among non-compliers, which explains the high reporting of forgetfulness to take medicine in MMAS. Both pill count and MMAS are effective non-invasive tools to study compliance.
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Background: Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition with 65 million cases of active epilepsy found worldwide. The incidence is approximately 0.3 - 0.5% in different world populations with a prevalence rate of five to ten per thousand people. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prescriptions according to WHO/INRUD drug use indicators and to study the adverse effects to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).Methods: A cross sectional survey based observational study of 1year duration was conducted at tertiary healthcare hospital. Prescription data of patients (n=361) with Epilepsy from Neurology department was analysed using WHO indicators. The demographic data, type of seizures, AEDs prescribed and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported by the patients were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft excel 2013.Results: A total of 593 AEDs were prescribed to 361 patients. Average number of AEDs prescribed per prescription was 1.65±0.78 (S.D) with only 02% of newer AEDs. Generalized Tonic Clonic (GTC) was the most common seizure with 55.68%. Phenytoin (32%) was commonly prescribed followed by valproate for GTCS. Carbamazepine was commonly prescribed for partial seizures. Out of 15 ADR cases that has been recorded, phenytoin (73%) was associated with most ADRs followed by valproate (20%). 53% patients were on Monotherapy, 31% on dual drug therapy.Conclusions: Older AEDs are still commonly prescribed drugs. Prescription of newer AEDs to be encouraged, as study revealed majority of adverse effects to drugs like phenytoin and valproate. Study concludes the need of creating awareness of reporting of adverse event to AEDs, in treating physician.
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Objective To investigate the effect of single antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) and combination therapy on the effect of seizure after stroke,prognosis and recurrent seizures.Methods From November 2013 to December 2017,280 patients with epilepsy and epilepsy that had been included in the epilepsy course and AEDs course for ＞6 months in Shaoxing Central Hospital were divided into early-onset epilepsy group and late-onset epilepsy group according to the patients' condition,with 140 cases in each group.According to different AEDs treatment regimens,they were further divided into monotherapy group(valproate) and combination therapy group(valproate,oxcarbazepine combined with levetiracetam).Results The proportion of monotherapy in the early-onset epilepsy group was significantly higher than that of the late-onset epilepsy group,and the proportion of the late-onset epilepsy group was significantly higher than that of the early-onset epilepsy group(x2 =22.857,P ＜ 0.0001).The incidence and effectiveness of epilepsy patients after single-agent and combination therapy in the early-onset epilepsy group had statistically significant differences [onset rate:40.0％ (36/90) vs.16.0％ (8/50),x2 =8.591,P =0.003;effective rate:88.9％(80/90) vs.100.0％ (50/50),x2 =5.983,P =0.014].The incidence and effectiveness of single-agent and combination therapy in the late-onset epilepsy group had statistically significant differences [seizure rate:40.0％(20/50) vs.82.2％ (74/90),x2 =25.974,P =0.000;effective rate:64.0％ (32/50) vs.87.8 ％ (79/90),x2 =1 1.065,P =0.000].Conclusion The time of post-stroke epilepsy is not related with the site,type and risk factors of stroke;early epilepsy usually manifested partial seizures and had better curative effect of AEDs,and late epilepsy usually manifested overall tonic clonic seizure;there were no obvious difference in curative effect and recurrence rate of early and late epilepsy on single and combined AEDs treatment.
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PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral posterior subcapsular cataract after taking oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®, Novartis, Basel, Swiss). CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old female visited our clinic with decreased vision in both eyes. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 in the right eye and 0.5 in the left eye, and slit-lamp examination revealed a bilateral cortical opacity and subcapsular cataract. She had been taking oxcarbazepine for epilepsy for 10 years, which was discontinued 3 years ago. Her mother had undergone cataract surgeries when she was approximately 46 years of age. No other risk factors for cataract were present. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case, bilateral cortical opacity and subcapsular cataract were assumed to be associated with the use of oxcarbazepine. We suggest that oxcarbazepine could induce a cataract and recommend a regular follow-up by a qualified ophthalmologist.
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Female , Humans , Young Adult , Cataract , Epilepsy , Follow-Up Studies , Mothers , Risk Factors , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the effect of single antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) and combination therapy on the effect of seizure after stroke, prognosis and recurrent seizures.@*Methods@#From November 2013 to December 2017, 280 patients with epilepsy and epilepsy that had been included in the epilepsy course and AEDs course for>6 months in Shaoxing Central Hospital were divided into early-onset epilepsy group and late-onset epilepsy group according to the patients' condition, with 140 cases in each group.According to different AEDs treatment regimens, they were further divided into monotherapy group(valproate) and combination therapy group(valproate, oxcarbazepine combined with levetiracetam).@*Results@#The proportion of monotherapy in the early-onset epilepsy group was significantly higher than that of the late-onset epilepsy group, and the proportion of the late-onset epilepsy group was significantly higher than that of the early-onset epilepsy group(χ2=22.857, P<0.0001). The incidence and effectiveness of epilepsy patients after single-agent and combination therapy in the early-onset epilepsy group had statistically significant differences[onset rate: 40.0%(36/90) vs.16.0%(8/50), χ2=8.591, P=0.003; effective rate: 88.9%(80/90) vs.100.0%(50/50), χ2=5.983, P=0.014]. The incidence and effectiveness of single-agent and combination therapy in the late-onset epilepsy group had statistically significant differences [seizure rate: 40.0%(20/50) vs.82.2%(74/90), χ2=25.974, P=0.000; effective rate: 64.0%(32/50) vs.87.8%(79/90), χ2=11.065, P=0.000].@*Conclusion@#The time of post-stroke epilepsy is not related with the site, type and risk factors of stroke; early epilepsy usually manifested partial seizures and had better curative effect of AEDs, and late epilepsy usually manifested overall tonic clonic seizure; there were no obvious difference in curative effect and recurrence rate of early and late epilepsy on single and combined AEDs treatment.
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Background: Epilepsy is a challenging medical problem in India with an annual incidence of 27.27 per 100,000 population and prevalence of 572.8 per 100,000. People with epilepsy require prolonged treatment and monitoring. The main goal in the treatment of epilepsy should be adequate control of seizures, without causing any life-threatening reactions due to the medications. This study was done to get an insight into the prescription pattern of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in different types of epilepsy.Methods: A prospective study was carried out for six months (Feb to June 2016) in admitted patients in super speciality ward (Lala Shyam Lal) in neurology department of PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana. The prescription data of 100 patients of seizures was analysed.Results: Idiopathic generalised epilepsy was commonest type of epilepsy (42%) and sodium valproate was the commonest drug prescribed for its treatment (66.66%) followed by phenytoin (23.33%) Symptomatic epilepsy was second commonest seizure (30%) and phenytoin (60%) was the commonest drug prescribed for it followed by sodium valproate (30%). Common adverse effects associated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were nausea, drowsiness, weight gain, diplopia and ataxia.Conclusions: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy was the commonest type of epilepsy recorded and sodium valproate was the commonest prescribed drug.
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Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children and its treatment still remains a challenge for the physicians. Though there are a number of anti-epileptic drugs with varying mechanisms of action, their adverse effects, and drug interactions are to be analyzed before starting a therapy. Aim: To study the pattern of prescription in the treatment of pediatric seizures. Objectives: To observe the pharmaco-epidemiology, utilization pattern and effectiveness of monotherapy and polytherapy in the treatment of seizures in children aged above 2 years. Materials and methods: This prospective, longitudinal study was conducted for a period of 8months in Paediatric Neurology Department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. The data collected from 41 children at the end of the study, were compiled in a specially designed data form and were analyzed. Henry Daniel Raj T, Sylvia A, Chidambaranathan S, nirmala P. Monotherapy and polytherapy in Paediatric seizures: A prospective, observational study in a tertiary care teaching hospital. IAIM, 2017; 4(10): 97-104. Page 98 Results: The distribution of Paediatric seizures was found to be high in male children (62%) and in the age group of 2 to 5 years (46%). GTCS (85%) was the dominant type of seizure seen in children and 83% of the children were treated with monotherapy. Polytherapy was found to be efficacious compared to monotherapy, with a good seizure control (100%: 94%), good compliance and minimal adverse effects (14.2%: 14.7%). Conclusion: Monotherapy still remains the mainstay of treatment in pediatric seizures. Though polytherapy appears to be a better option in this study, epilepsy in children requires a long term treatment and hence adverse effects in long term and the effects of drug interactions are the main criteria to be taken care of. A study of longer duration in the treatment of pediatric seizures will provide a better knowledge in the adverse effects of polytherapy.
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Objective To investigate the pharmacoepidemiologic features of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) and improve the recognition of its particularity.Methods The clinical data of 28 patients with DHS were retrospectively analyzed and summarized.Results Of 28 DHS patients,the suspected drugs were allopurinol in 17 cases,anti-epileptic drugs in 4 cases,antiuberculotic drugs in 3 cases and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 4 cases.The earliest symptoms of DHS were skin rash (89.3 ％) and fever(85.7 ％),secondly liver function damaged(75.0％),which may be accompanied by mucosa,eye,genital damage (53.6％),eosinophilia (32.1％),renal impairment (17.9％),even multiple organ failure and death.Conclusion DHS should be on the alert when rash,repeated fever and visceral lesion occurred in a patient,without good therapeutic efficacy through ordinary anti-anaphylaxis and anti-infective therapy,as well as with the above medication history.
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Rufinamide (RUF) is FDA-approved for adjunctive management of seizures related with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS). This new anti-epileptic drug (AED) adds to the AEDs previously used for LGS together with valproic acid, lamotrigine, felbamate, and topiramate. Its mechanism of action includes preventive the excessive firing of sodium-dependent action potentials, but RUF also exhibits a broad spectrum of action in animal models. The plasma concentration of other AEDs does not change by the RUF. Dizziness, nausea, diplopia, and ataxia vomiting and somnolence are most common adverse effects taking place with RUF. Status epilepticus has been reported, but were uncommon (0.9%). A recent randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of RUF in patients with LGS and generalized seizures, including atypical absence and tonic-atonic seizures, showed a 32.7% median percentage decreased in total seizures and a 42.5% median percentage decreased in tonic-atonic seizures. RUF also considerably decreased seizure severity. RUF has been studied as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in adults and adolescents. In a study of three healthy volunteers, an oral dose of 600 mg RUF recognized high absorption and monoexponential elimination with a mean half-life (t½) of 9 hrs. Excretion was mainly renal (85%) and complete (98%) within 7 days.
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Background: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent non-communicable neurologic diseases leading to significant disability and mortality. Complaints of impaired learning and memory are common in patients of epilepsy. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may further enhance this impairment. So the present study was carried out on albino rats to evaluate the effect of AEDs on learning and memory. Objective: To assess the effect of lamotrigine, levetiracetam and phenytoin on learning and memory in albino rats. Material and Methods: Albino rats of about 150 -200 gm of either sex were treated with drugs for 15 days and assessed for effect on learning behavior and again treated for next 15 days after which they were assessed for retention behavior (memory) on Morris water maze and Elevated plus maze. The data was statistically analyzed by applying Mann- Whitney test. Result: Phenytoin and lamotrigine caused significant impairment of learning whereas levetiracetam had no statistically significant effect on learning. Phenytoin also caused significant impairment of memory whereas lamotrigine and levetiracetam did not cause statistically significant impairment of memory. Conclusion: Learning was impaired by phenytoin and lamotrigine but not by levetiracetam which has novel mechanism of action. Phenytoin resulted in memory impairment on Morris water maze but no impairment on elevated plus maze and no other drug caused this effect.
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Epilepsy is the commonest chronic neurological disorder to complicate pregnancy, having an incidence of 0.15% to 10%. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is the principal cause of death, and seizure control is the key to minimizing this risk. The aim of antenatal care is to optimize seizure control. The lowest dose of antiepileptic medication that protects against seizures should be chosen. Non-adherence to treatment may present a greater risk to the developing fetus than antiepileptic drug exposure. Adequate rest and sleep is mandatory for epileptic women. The normal anti epileptic drug regimen should be continued during labor. An elective cesarean section should be considered if there have been frequent tonic clonic or prolonged complex partial seizures towards the end of pregnancy. Breast feeding is not contraindicated. Appropriate contraceptive advice should be given. The importance of pre conceptual care in a subsequent pregnancy should be reiterated.
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Epilepsy,a common neurological disorder which is more likely to occur in children, does great harm to the physical and mental health of children. At present, use of anti-epilepsy medicine is still the main method of treating the disease. The effects of traditional anti-epilepsy medicine are obvious but many patients can not tolerate the severe side-effects. Moreover, the rate of drug resistance is high. For those children with such a disease who can not be treated by traditional medicine and those who cannot tolerate the toxicity of epilepsy medicine, non-traditional anti-epilepsy treatment might play a potential important role.
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Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of children. Research in recent years on the mechanism of refractable epilepsy has made some breakthrough. Four concepts have been put forward to explain the development of pharmacoresistance. The transporter hypothesis have become the focus, which contends that the expression or function of multidrug transporters in the brain is augmented, leading to impaired access of antiepileptic drugs to central nervous system targets. An emerging understanding of these underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms is likely to provide important impetus for the development of new pharmacological treatment strategies and clinical test facility.
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Lamotrigine (LTG) is a generally well-tolerated antiepileptic drug with broad-spectrum efficacy in several forms of partial and generalized epilepsy. Adverse effects of lamotrigine are usually associated with introduction and titration. This risk increases in children and in the co-medication with valproate. Herein, we report four patients with late adverse-effects, under the co-medication valproate and LTG, not related to drug introduction or titration. This study demonstrates that late side-effects without apparent etiology in children, adolescents and adults in chronic use of LTG, especially when associated to VPA, led to a diagnostic investigation, sometimes invasive. It must be emphasized that, due to the excellent seizure control, the authors opted for drug decrease instead of drug withdrawal, as previously done. Studies on late adverse effects are scarce, but physicians must be aware of these risks.
Lamotrigina (LTG) é uma droga antiepiléptica bem tolerada com eficácia em diferentes formas de epilepsia, parcial e generalizada. Os efeitos adversos da lamotrigina estão freqüentemente associados com a sua introdução e a sua titulação. Este risco encontra-se aumentado em crianças e quando a LTG é usada em associação com o valproato. Nós relatamos quatro pacientes que apresentaram efeitos adversos tardios com a co-administração de LTG e valproato, não relacionados à introdução ou o escalonamento das drogas antiepilépticas. Este estudo demonstra que efeitos adversos tardios sem etiologia aparente nas crianças, adolescentes e adultos em uso crônico de LTG, especialmente quando associados ao valproato, levou à investigação diagnóstica, por vezes invasiva. Os autores enfatizam que, devido ao bom controle de crises, os autores optaram pela redução da dose ao invés da suspensão da medicação, como previamente realizado. Embora os estudos sobre efeitos adversos tardios das drogas antiepilépticas sejam escassos, os clínicos devem estar cientes deste risco.