title: Cognitive outcomes of prenatal antiepileptic drug exposure.
abstract: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been known to have teratogenic effects for a little over 50 years. While early reports focused on fetal malformations, there has been an increasing amount of data over the last few decades exploring the cognitive outcomes of offspring exposed to AEDs in utero. Although the challenges of confounding factors and varied methodologies have led to inconsistent results, the negative impact of some of the agents, such as valproate, have become clear. Further studies are needed to evaluate the cognitive effects of prenatal exposure to many AEDs which have not been tested, to clarify the effects of existing AEDs which have yielded mixed results, and to better understand the effects of polytherapy. Research in animal models is warranted to screen AEDs for their effects on cognition in exposed offspring and to further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which AEDs exert their harmful effects on the developing brain. And finally, new AEDs without these harmful effects and agents which can prevent or reverse the negative consequences imparted by AED therapy on cognition should be sought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address: kinoyama@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kimford J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Meador
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D013723:Teratogens
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013723:Teratogens
keywords: Antiepileptic drugs; Cognitive; Epilepsy; Pregnancy; Teratogen