Initiation of carbamazepine therapy in partial epilepsy: a regional cerebral blood flow study.
The effect of the initiation of carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied using the intravenous Xenon technique in a group of epileptic patients suffering from complex partial seizures. A slight increase in mean rCBF (10.8 +/- 8.8%, P less than 0.01) was observed in 12 patients after the first month of CBZ treatment, while no rCBF change was found after 6 months of CBZ treatment. Regional analysis showed that the rCBF increase following 1 month of CBZ treatment involved all cortical regions with the exception of the right occipital region, irrespective of the initial value. Repeated rCBF measurements performed in normal volunteers (N = 6) and in epileptic patients (N = 10), chronically treated and not subjected to therapeutic modification, showed no significant change. The initial effect of CBZ on CBF found at the onset of the treatment but not after 4-6 months may be related to the improvement in epilepsy and in cerebral function (as suggested by cognitive findings).
Valmier
J
J
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, INSERM U.249, CNRS LP 8402, University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Touchon
J
J
Blayac
J P
JP
Baldy-Moulinier
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D002220:Carbamazepine