Comparison of cognitive effects of lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine in epilepsy patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the cognitive effects of 1 year of treatment with lamotrigine (LTG) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in epilepsy patients.


METHODS
This retrospective study investigated 60 epilepsy patients undergoing neuropsychological tests who were either newly diagnosed or untreated in the preceding 6 months. The cognitive function in 30 patients receiving LTG monotherapy and 30 age-matched patients receiving OXC monotherapy was compared after 1 year. The neuropsychological scores at baseline and all of the epilepsy-relevant variables except seizure type did not differ between the groups. The mean daily dosages of LTG and OXC at 1 year were 93 mg and 825 mg, respectively.


RESULTS
The posttreatment list-learning performance was better in the LTG group than in the OXC group (p<0.05). The incidence of cognitive complaints did not differ between the two groups. The list-learning performance and Trail Making Test scores were better in each group after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
LTG and OXC monotherapies have similar, slightly beneficial effects on cognitive function, and are probably not harmful.
Seo
Jong-Geun
JG
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Lee
Da-In
DI
Hwang
Yang-Ha
YH
Lee
Ho-Won
HW
Jung
Doo-Kyo
DK
Suh
Chung-Kyu
CK
Kwon
Soon-Hak
SH
Park
Sung-Pa
SP