The safety and tolerability of galantamine in patients with epilepsy and memory difficulties.
Individuals with epilepsy commonly experience memory loss. We investigated the safety and tolerability of galantamine in treatment of memory loss in a pilot study of 28 patients with epilepsy, randomly assigned to galantamine (n=13) or placebo (n=15) and followed for a total of 12 weeks. Participants underwent blinded memory assessment at baseline and 12 weeks (Selective Reminding Test, 7/24 Spatial Recall). One participant in the galantamine group had a suspected recurrence of brain neoplasm and increased seizures; all other participants receiving galantamine showed no increase in seizure activity during the trial. Patients in both groups reported mild, tolerable side effects (headache, appetite suppression), with no difference between groups. No significant differences were observed on the memory measures when both groups were retested at Week 12. Galantamine appears to be safe and tolerable in patients with epilepsy. Further studies with larger samples and comparison with other cholinesterase inhibitors should be considered.
Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017, USA. rlgriffith@uabmc.edu
H Randall
HR
Griffith
Roy
R
Martin
Stephanie
S
Andrews
A
A
LeBron Paige
Janice
J
Ware
Edward
E
Faught
Timothy
T
Welty
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005702:Galantamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D005702:Galantamine