Topiramate in frontal lobe epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is a type of epilepsy that is difficult to treat and there are few studies about the use of topiramate (TPM).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of TPM monotherapy in FLE.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 55 (33 male; 22 female) patients. TPM was administered as a first drug (n = 16) or converted after previous treatment (n = 39). All patients were followed every 3 months for at least 1 year. The patients were subdivided into two groups: 'newly diagnosed' patients and 'difficult-to-treat' patients.


RESULTS
Overall, all patients completed the 1-year study. At the end of follow-up, 10 patients showed disappearance of seizures and 33 patients showed improvement in seizure frequency. In particular, among the newly diagnosed patients 6/16 patients showed complete cessation of seizures and 5/16 patients showed very good response; in the other group, 4/39 patients showed complete cessation and 4/39 patients showed a very good response. No patients of both groups had worsening of seizures. No treatment-limiting adverse events associated with TPM were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
TPM is effective in newly diagnosed patients with FLE; TPM can be considered for the treatment of FLE.
Verrotti
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy. averrott@unich.it
Sofia
V
V
Franzoni
E
E
Coppola
G
G
Manco
R
R
Ciambra
G L
GL
Savasta
S
S
Chiarelli
F
F
Iannetti
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose