Treatment of seizures in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Epileptic seizures occur in only a minority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but can have serious consequences. The available literature suggests an association of seizures in MS with cortical and subcortical demyelinating lesions, which suggest that seizures in MS are probably most often symptomatic rather that idiopathic. It is currently unknown whether patients with MS should be treated differently from other patients with epileptic seizures.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antiepileptic treatments in patients with MS.


METHODS
We searched for double-blind, single-blind or unblinded randomised controlled trials on antiepileptic treatment in patients with MS through electronic searches of The Cochrane Multiple Sclerosis Group's and Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Trials Registers, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 1), MEDLINE (From 1966 - Jan 2008) and EMBASE (From 1974 - Jan 2008).


METHODS
Double-blind, single-blind or unblinded randomised controlled trials on antiepileptic treatment in patients with MS.


METHODS
Searches yielded a total of 379 citations (CENTRAL: 20, MEDLINE: 264, EMBASE: 95). We perused titles and abstracts for relevance and independently excluded all 379 citations as clearly not meeting the inclusion criteria.


RESULTS
We found no studies meeting our inclusion criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to guide clinical practice. Such trials should preferably contain a head-to-head comparison of antiepileptic drugs in patients with MS.
Koch
Marcus W
MW
Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Postbus 30.001, Groningen, Netherlands, 9700RB.
Polman
Susanne K L
SK
Uyttenboogaart
Maarten
M
De Keyser
Jacques
J
D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*