Weight change in monozygotic twins treated with valproate.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether genetic factors contribute to weight gain associated with valproate (VPA) therapy.


METHODS
We retrospectively and prospectively evaluated five pairs of monozygotic twins concordant for epilepsy and treated with VPA regarding weight course.


RESULTS
In all twin pairs, both twins showed similar weight courses under therapy with VPA.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that genetic factors may have an influence on the weight change induced by VPA. Further studies are necessary to obtain heritability estimates regarding this effect of VPA therapy and to identify the relevant genes.
Klein
Karl Martin
KM
Interdisciplinary Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany.
Hamer
Hajo M
HM
Reis
Janine
J
Schmidtke
Jörg
J
Oertel
Wolfgang H
WH
Theisen
Frank M
FM
Hebebrand
Johannes
J
Rosenow
Felix
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid