Vigabatrin use in psychotic epileptic patients: report of a prospective pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of any possible behavioural reactions in epileptic patients during vigabatrin treatment.


METHODS
Ten patients with refractory partial epilepsy, previous mental retardation and psychosis or other significant psychiatric morbidity treated with vigabatrin were submitted periodically to specific tests (to quantify any possible change in behavioural parameters) and also to EEG recordings.


RESULTS
After 1 year of treatment 5/10 patients became seizure-free, 3/10 of them presented reduction of seizures by over 75%. None of the subjects presented episodes that could be interpreted as psychotic reactions and, moreover, some patients showed a reduction in stereotypies, instability and aggressiveness. In 66% of these patients an improvement in cognitive functions was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The onset of side effects can be prevented by a gradual introduction of vigabatrin and by the use of the drug in moderate doses. These data do not confirm the contraindication to treat with vigabatrin patients with a history of psychiatric disturbances.
Veggiotti
P
P
Child Neuropsychiatry Division, Neurological Institute C. Mondino Foundation, IRCCS, University of Pavia, Italy.
De Agostini
G
G
Muzio
C
C
Termine
C
C
Baldi
P L
PL
Ferrari Ginevra
O
O
Lanzi
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin