title: Long-term effects of tiagabine monotherapy on cognition and mood in adult patients with chronic partial epilepsy.
abstract: The long-term effects of tiagabine monotherapy on cognition and mood were evaluated in adult patients with chronic partial epilepsy in a 48-week, open-label extension period that followed an 8-week, double-blind, titration study. Cognitive function was evaluated using neuropsychological evaluations that measured learning and memory, general intellectual ability, attention and mental speed, and reaction speed. Mood was assessed using a Finnish modification of the Profile of Mood States. Of the 34 patients who entered the open-label extension period, 18 successfully continued long-term monotherapy and underwent neuropsychological evaluation at 48 weeks of tiagabine monotherapy. The mean daily dose of tiagabine monotherapy at the end of open-label treatment was 19.7 mg/day (range, 5-35 mg/day). Tiagabine monotherapy did not adversely affect cognitive function. No significant changes in mood were observed. The median number of seizures was 2 (range, 0-71), and 8 patients (44%) were seizure-free during the 48 weeks of open-label tiagabine treatment. The results of this small open-label extension study indicate that patients with chronic partial epilepsy who were successfully converted to long-term tiagabine monotherapy demonstrated no adverse effects on cognitive function or mood.
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikiä
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jutila
authors.forename: Tuuli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salmenperä
authors.forename: Esa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mervaala
authors.forename: Reetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kälviäinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078308:Tiagabine
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D000078308:Tiagabine