Antiepileptic drugs in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Antiepileptic drugs might be effective in the treatment of patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, a condition with unmet pharmacologic needs. We review the literature on the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, both case reports and open studies, as well as controlled studies if available. The results of the studies will be presented together with their methodological limitations (e.g., open trials, use of additional medications, and lack of use of standardized scales for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). The effects of antiepileptic drugs on kindling, a suggested pathogenesis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are overviewed, and suggestions for further research are raised.
Iancu
Iulian
I
The Psychiatric Division, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel. IULIANI@BEZEQINT.NET
Rosen
Yitzhak
Y
Moshe
Kotler
K
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D000927:Anticonvulsants