title: Truncal ataxia in chronic anticonvulsant treatment. Association with drug-induced folate deficiency.
abstract: The association of truncal ataxia with a number of different factors has been studied in a group of 95 epileptic outpatients on chronic anticonvulsant treatment. The 28 patients showing truncal ataxia had been epileptic for a longer period of time, received a significantly larger number of drugs, and had higher serum levels of phenobarbital than the non-ataxic group. Serum folate levels were significantly lower in the ataxic group. A role is postulated for anticonvulsant-induced folate deficiency in the appearance of truncal ataxia presenting after prolonged anti-convulsant therapy, either by increasing the serum levels of the anticonvulsants or through other, unknown mechanisms. The presence of tonic-clonic seizures, presumably associated with brain anoxia, was not associated with the appearance of truncal ataxia.
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001259:Ataxia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013909:Thorax
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005492:Folic Acid