Topiramate and word-finding difficulties in patients with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of word-finding difficulties as a treatment-emergent adverse event in patients with epilepsy taking topiramate and to identify a clinical phenotype at risk.


METHODS
The authors investigated the relationship of word-finding difficulties to topiramate titration schedule, seizure frequency and pattern, and EEG and neuroradiologic findings in 431 consecutively and prospectively collected patients taking topiramate.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients (7.2%) developed word-finding difficulties. Presence of simple partial seizures (OR = 6.7 p = 0.007) and a left temporal EEG epileptic focus (OR = 5.2 p = 0.021) were significantly associated with word-finding difficulties.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of word-finding difficulties seems to be a titration schedule independent phenomenon that occurs in a subgroup of patients with a specific biologic vulnerability.
Mula
Marco
M
Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK.
Trimble
Michael R
MR
Thompson
Pamela
P
Sander
Josemir W A S
JW
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001037:Aphasia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077236:Topiramate; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose