title: Quantitative analysis of motor performance in epilepsy patients treated with valproate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to detect objective signs of deterioration of motor performance in epilepsy patients treated with chronic valproate therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 14 controls and 15 epilepsy patients receiving chronic valproate monotherapy, who had no subjective complaints related to motor function. Regularity and maximum frequency of repetitive hand and finger movements, and simple reaction time were measured. Intensity and frequency characteristics of resting and postural tremor were assessed using accelerometry. Data were statistically evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repetitive hand and finger movements were significantly more irregular and the maximum frequency of repetitive movements was significantly lower in the valproate group than in controls. Resting tremor peak frequency and motor reaction time of the two cohorts did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study, which quantitatively assesses motor performance of patients with epilepsy on chronic valproate therapy. The results suggest significant irregularity of repetitive hand movements and finger tapping even in patients with no motor complaints. Objective methods might help to recognize valproate-induced motor performance deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Balassa u. 6, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Farkas
authors.forename: Szilvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gulyás
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molnár
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szirmai
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamondi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid