title: Cognitive side effects of anticonvulsants.
abstract: The increasing use of anticonvulsant drugs in psychiatry has prompted greater awareness of their effects on a range of psychiatric domains, including cognition. Older versus newer antiepileptic drugs have been reported to either worsen or enhance cognitive performance in clinical populations, and the extent to which cognitive disturbances may reflect iatrogenic factors versus psychopathology is subject to debate. We review current information about the role of anticonvulsants in cognition, with particular emphasis on newer compounds (such as lamotrigine, gabapentin, and topiramate), the cognitive dimensions of affective illness, and the clinical approach to evaluating cognition in psychiatric patients taking anticonvulsant drugs over time.
authors.affiliation: Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the Bipolar Disorders Research Clinic, Payne Whitney Clinic-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA. JFGoldbe@mail.med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Burdick
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D014227:Triazines; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D000077213:Lamotrigine