Research Sheds Light on Continued Occurrence of Adverse Cognitive Effects of Epilepsy Drug

As part of an NIH-funded Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (NEAD) Study, researchers in the U.S. and U.K. are conducting an ongoing investigation of the cognitive effect of fetal exposure across four commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

An early NEAD analysis found that fetal exposure to valproate impairs IQ at age three. A new analysis, reported today at the 65th annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES), reveals that this adverse effect on IQ persists to age six. (Platform B.01)

Fits | Epilepsy | Convulsions - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder

The analysis is based on pregnant women with epilepsy on AED monotherapy enrolled in the NEAD Study from 1999 to 2004. The purpose of the study is to determine if there are differences in long-term neurodevelopmental effects among carbamazepine, lamotrigine, penytoin, or valproate. Child IQ was lower with valproate exposure compared to each of the other AEDs.

In the present study, adjusted mean IQs for each AED were: carbamazepine 105, lamotrigine 108, phenytoin 106, and valproate 99. IQ was negatively associated with valproate dose; however, a similar relationship was not found with the other AEDs.

The children''s IQ was measured by the Differential Ability Scale (DAS), including a secondary analysis of Verbal and Non-verbal Cluster scores from the DAS. Verbal abilities were less than non-verbal abilities across all AEDs combined and individually for carbamazepine, lamotrigine and valproate.

Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain / Pork Tapeworm - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Neurocysticercosis or Cysticercosis of brain is the most common cause of epilepsy and the most common parasitic infection of the brain. Neurocysticercosis is more common in the developing countries.

"Further investigation is needed to confirm if the verbal impairments across this study occur in a different cohort," says lead investigator Kimford J. Meador, M.D. "Research is also needed to delineate the cognitive effects of fetal exposure to other AEDs, and to determine the mechanisms underlying these effects."

Editors Note: Authors of this study will be available at a press briefing at 11:30 am, Monday,
December 5 in the onsite press room, Room 336, of the Baltimore Convention Center.

Epilepsy and Slides
Epilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a ‘Seizure’. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used.

About the American Epilepsy Society (AES)
The American Epilepsy Society, based in West Hartford, CT, seeks to advance and improve the treatment of epilepsy through the promotion of research and education for healthcare professionals. Society membership includes epileptologists and other medical professionals, allied healthcare professionals, and scientists concerned with the care of people who have seizure disorders.

Source-Newswise