Preventing post-traumatic epilepsy after brain injury: weighing the costs and benefits of anticonvulsant prophylaxis.
If the primary goal in the treatment of traumatic brain injury is the minimization of post-injury morbidity, treatment strategies that effectively prevent the development of post-traumatic epilepsy and have a beneficial (or at least neutral) impact on functional recovery are necessary. Here, Theresa Hernandez discusses the degree to which the current post-injury practice of anticonvulsant prophylaxis satisfies each of these criteria.
Hernandez
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Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, USA.
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004834:Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents