title: Antiepileptic drugs and neurodevelopment: an update.
abstract: In utero exposure to some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is associated with an increased risk of impaired cognitive development. Specifically, valproate and polytherapy exposure are each associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment in children compared with other antiepileptic medications. The data regarding the risk to neurocognitive development imposed by maternal use of other AEDs are conflicting or insufficient at this time to draw definitive conclusions. Behavioral dysfunction including autistic spectrum disorder is also associated with maternal use of AEDs during pregnancy. Whether treatment with AEDs during childhood permanently affects cognitive neurodevelopment is yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Woodruff Memorial Research Building, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. spalac@emory.edu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palac
authors.forename: Kimford J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Meador
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants