title: Comparison of the effects of vigabatrin, lamotrigine, and topiramate on quantitative EEGs in patients with epilepsy.
abstract: Information on the effects of newer antiepileptic drug (AEDs) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) is sparse and contradictory. Quantitative EEG (qEEG) provides a method of estimating the effects of drugs on the central nervous system. Twenty-three adult patients with difficult-to-control complex partial seizures, with or without secondary generalization, participated in an add-on study with one of three newer AEDs: vigabatrin (n = 10), lamotrigine (n = 6), and topiramate (n = 7). Frequency analysis and topographic mapping of awake EEGs before and during treatment with the drug were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Vigabatrin administration was followed by a diffuse decrease in the absolute alpha (p < 0.05) and beta (p < 0.02) activities and a decrease in the absolute theta in the frontal and parieto-occipital regions (p < 0.03). Lamotrigine caused a significant diffuse increase in the faster frequencies (relative alpha p < 0.04 and relative beta p < 0.02), and decrease in the slower activities (relative theta in the posterior head regions p < 0.03 and relative delta diffusely p < 0.05). Topiramate increased the absolute beta (p < 0.05) and theta (p < 0.02) activities diffusely and decreased the relative alpha activity over the left hemisphere (p < 0.03). The different effect profiles of the newer AEDs on the electrical brain activity may reflect their different mechanisms of action.
authors: Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors: M Y
authors: MY
authors: Neufeld
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kogan
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Chistik
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Korczyn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000077213:Lamotrigine