Effects of lamotrigine on cognitive function and the quality of life in patients with partial epilepsy / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of lamotrigine (LTG) on cognitive function and the quality of life (QOL) in patients with partial epilepsy. Methods Twenty six patients with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy were randomly divided into 2 different groups using oral administration of LTG and carbamazepine (CBZ) respectively. By neuropsychological test scores and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) The cognitive function and QOL were assessed before and 16 weeks after the treatment. A battery of neuropsychological tests comprised WAIS digital span test (WDST), verbal fluency test (VFT), trail making test (TMT, parts A and B), stroop color word test (SCWT), Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), delayed logical memory test, delayed optical memory test, arithmetic ability and digital symbol conversion test. Results The repeated assessments for the patients taking LTG were associated with significant improvements in many domains. When comparing the results at the end of 16 weeks with the baseline results, the verbal fluency were improved, the time of trail making test parts A and B were shortened, the WCST correct number and classification were improved, and the persistent error number and operation time of WCST were declined as well, digital symbol conversion was increased, delayed logic memory and optical memory were improved (t=3. 043, -3. 287,-2. 543,3. 167,3. 028,-2. 191, -3. 216,3. 061,3. 036, 3. 021 ,all P<0. 01 or P<0. 05). When comparing the efficacy of LTG with the CBZ group, the time of stroop color word test was shortened, digital symbol conversion was increased and arithmetic ability was improved (t= 3. 167,2. 142,2. 101, P<0.01 or P<0. 05). Compared with the baseline, both LTG group and CBZ group showed that the overall QOL, overall health, cognitive function and social function scores were improved (LTG group t= 3. 321,2. 462,3. 294,3. 512;CBZ group t=3. 314, 3. 149,3. 294,3. 202,all P<0.05). When comparing LTG group with CBZ group after therapy, cognitive function and social function scores were obviously improved (t = 2. 257,2. 140, both P< 0. 05), and the worry about seizure declined (t=2. 147,P<0. 05). Conclusions LTG may improve the cognitive function and QOL in patients with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy.