Nicotine as an antiepileptic agent in ADNFLE: an N-of-one study.
OBJECTIVE
To test nicotine patch treatment for a patient with a defined mutation for autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) whose seizures were refractory to standard antiepileptic therapy.


METHODS
Open and double-blind trials of nicotine patches in an "n-of-one" study. The double-blind trial comprised periods during which either placebo or nicotine patches were each used for three periods of 2 weeks, randomized in a double-blind manner.


RESULTS
In an open study, nicotine patches reduced seizures from 1.65 +/- 2.36 to 0.01 +/- 0.0 seizures per day (p < 0.0001). In a double-blinded placebo-controlled phase, the average frequency of seizures on nicotine versus placebo was 0 +/- 0 versus 0.56 +/- 1.14 seizures per day (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Nicotine patches may be of benefit to some individuals with ADNFLE.
Willoughby
John O
JO
Centre for Neuroscience and Department of Medicine (Neurology) School of Informatics and Engineering Division of Pharmacy, Flinders University and Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. John.@Willoughby@flinders.edu.au
Pope
Kenneth J
KJ
Eaton
Vaughn
V
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009538:Nicotine