Oxcarbazepine (GP 47.680): a possible alternative to carbamazepine?

A double-blind randomized crossover design trial of carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OCBZ) was performed with 48 in-patients with epilepsy. All were stabilized on polytherapy including CBZ and had at least two seizures per week. CBZ was replaced by the trial medication. Each trial period started with a titration, followed by a 12-week steady state. Concomitant medications were kept constant during the trial. The criteria for assessment were seizure fit frequency and severity; tolerability; hematology and blood chemistry; plasma levels of antiepileptic drugs; EEG; cardiovascular parameters; and treatment preference. The following differences regarding OCBZ were detected: 9% reduction of the total number of seizures, with a significant reduction of tonic-clonic (20%) and tonic (31%) seizures; increased alertness and concentration ability in five patients; an allergic skin reaction with CBZ that completely disappeared in two patients while receiving OCBZ; an increase of valproate and phenytoin plasma levels in a number of patients, probably caused by reduced enzyme induction; a slight but significant reduction of serum Na, not causing clinical symptoms; less seizures than in the CBZ period in 25 patients (52%); and a preference for OCBZ in 23 patients (48%). We consider OCBZ at least as effective as CBZ with a slightly better tolerability. In severe cases, the wider therapeutic window might improve seizure control.

Double-blind study of milacemide in hospitalized therapy-resistant patients with epilepsy.

Milacemide, 2-N-pentylaminoacetamide, a glycine prodrug, which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, has been tested for antiepileptic efficacy and tolerability in 30 patients compared in a double-blind design with 30 patients treated with placebo. All patients continued to receive, without alteration, their previous partly effective medication. All patients presented an average of at least 10 seizures a month during the 6 months preceding the trial with no more than 50% fluctuation. The ratio of seizure frequency in the trial period over the seizure frequency in the baseline period (RSF) was calculated. In the milacemide group, 9 of 29 patients had an RSF less than 0.7 as opposed to 2 of 29 in the placebo group. Although no firm proof of therapeutic efficacy, this and the dramatic improvement of a patient with myoclonus epilepsy indicates that further studies are warranted. This opinion is strengthened if one considers the subgroup of patients aged less than or equal to 25 years in which a statistically significant reduction in seizure frequency was observed with milacemide treatment. The drug was well tolerated.

Dimorphic behaviour and taxonomy of Trichosporiella sporotrichoides.

Three strains of Trichosporiella sporotrichoides van Oorschot showed divergent reactions to suspension plating. A comparison was made with other yeast-like fungi and some descriptive terms were redefined or introduced. Strain CBS 671.74 developed the same hyphae with lateral conidia as in streak cultures. Strain CBS 577.77 showed initial-stage budding eventually giving rise to hyphae with lateral conidia. CBS 152.76 showed phenotypic segregation with suspension plating and an additional pseudomycelial form in liquid culture. Further differences between the strains were found in carbohydrate composition of cells, ultrastructure of cell walls and in growth patterns on various sugars. Two strains with basidiomycetous affinities are reclassified in the genus Trichosporon. A third strain with ascomycetous affinities is redescribed as Trichosporiella ornithopoda spec. nov.