Carbamazepine but not pregabalin impairs eye control: a study on acute objective CNS side effects in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study compared the effects of the new antiepileptic drug (AED) pregabalin (PGB) with the established AED carbamazepine (CBZ) on eye movements and posture control.


METHODS
Eye movements and posture control after AED intake were studied by electrooculography and posturography in 12 healthy volunteers who received single doses of 75mg PGB and 400mg slow release CBZ in a double-blind, cross-over, randomized trial.


RESULTS
CBZ caused more slowing of the peak horizontal saccade (27%) than PGB (14%). For other parameters there was no statistically significant difference as compared to baseline and in the comparison of the two AEDs. CBZ and PGB, both impaired posture control but no statistically significant effect was found.


CONCLUSIONS
CBZ causes more commonly dizziness after intake than PGB, when given in single doses, which is reflected in objective measurements; CBZ but not PGB impaired saccadic eye movements. Electrooculography and posturography serve as an objective measure of AED CNS side effects and could be used at an early stage of drug development.
Rémi
Jan
J
Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Hüttenbrenner
Angelika
A
Feddersen
Berend
B
Noachtar
Soheyl
S
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004585:Electrooculography; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid