title: Alpha rhythm slowing during initiation of carbamazepine therapy: implications for future cognitive performance.
abstract: A prospective study comparing the immediate changes in occipital electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency following institution of carbamazepine therapy to long-term alterations of neuropsychological performance is reported. The patient group consisted of 16 previously untreated children in the 5-14-year age range who had recent onset partial seizures and were managed for at least 1 year with carbamazepine monotherapy. EEG changes following initiation of carbamazepine therapy, as compared to baseline, were determined by a computer-based quantitative method. Neuropsychological factors were assessed at baseline and after 1 year of therapy. While the alpha frequency decreased following institution of carbamazepine in most subjects, a greater decline (typically > 0.5 Hz) was observed in the subset who subsequently demonstrated decreased neuropsychological performance at 1 year. The major effects could be attributed to the Arithmetic and Picture Completion subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). The findings suggest that quantitative EEG analysis may be useful for identifying individuals at increased risk for developing anticonvulsant-related long-term cognitive changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hrachovy
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Glaze
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rettig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine