Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 2 de 2
Filter
Add more filters










Database
Language
Publication year range
1.
Epilepsy Res ; 108(9): 1642-51, 2014 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25223728

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Given verapamil's property as a glycoprotein inhibitor, this drug could increase the effective concentration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in the epileptic foci, reducing the number of seizures. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of verapamil as adjunct therapy in pharmacoresistant patients with focal onset seizures. METHODS: This was a single-centered, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial evaluating verapamil as an add-on therapy for adult patients with refractory epilepsy. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were randomized, but five of them withdrew and one patient passed away after consent, having no exposure to either verapamil or placebo; four patients withdrew during or after the double-blind phase due to side effects. From these four patients, only one patient was in the verapamil group. Twelve patients (59%) finished the study. Some patients experienced lower seizure frequencies, but none of them reached 50% reduction. In addition, there was no statistically significant decrease in the seizure frequency of patients receiving verapamil. When comparing the verapamil with the placebo at the double-blind or the open label study phases, the average difference in seizure range also failed to show significance (p=0.41 and p=0.98, respectively). No significant cardiovascular effects were observed, and side effects unique to verapamil were skin rashes and feet edema. Throughout the study, carbamazepine, valproic acid and clobazam levels increased following verapamil intake; minor dosage adjustment was required in one patient on carbamazepine. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study has shown mild benefits of verapamil use in comparison to placebo as an add-on therapy for a group of non-selected patients with refractory epilepsy. A partial response in a subset of patients was seen. No significant safety problems happened, but adjustments on AEDs may be required during verapamil use.


Subject(s)
Calcium Channel Blockers/therapeutic use , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Verapamil/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
2.
Dev Med Child Neurol ; 56(9): 905-9, 2014 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24494819

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a rare congenital malformation of cortical development, usually associated with developmental delay and severe epilepsy. This condition has rarely been reported in adults. The aim of this study was to examine and compare neurological findings in adult patients with HME. METHOD: We retrospectively examined adult patients with HME by evaluating the presence of neurocutaneous disorders, current cognitive development, seizure control, and documentation of therapies for seizure management and outcomes. RESULTS: Five patients were included in the study (three males, two females; mean age 23 y 9 mo [SD 6 y 1 mo], range 18-34 y). Four patients had HME that was associated with neurocutaneous syndromes and the remaining patient had isolated HME. Two patients required surgical treatment for seizures in childhood. One patient had no intellectual disability, while one had mild, and three severe intellectual disability. All patients presented motor deficits ranging from mild hemiparesis in two patients to non-ambulation in one patient. Patients in whom seizure onset occurred after the 7 years of age had better seizure control and psychomotor development in adulthood than patients in whom seizure onset occurred in the first year of life. INTERPRETATION: In our small sample of adults with HME, age at seizure onset, cognitive disability, and seizure control were found to be associated.


Subject(s)
Malformations of Cortical Development/diagnosis , Adult , Age of Onset , Brain/pathology , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Malformations of Cortical Development/complications , Malformations of Cortical Development/pathology , Neurocutaneous Syndromes/complications , Paresis/etiology , Prognosis , Psychomotor Performance , Retrospective Studies , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/surgery , Severity of Illness Index , Young Adult
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...