title: [Valproate can induce reversible encephalopathy].
abstract: Valproate (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug – also in the elderly. A female patient was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age 60 of years and treated with VPA for 16 years before developing tremor, rigidity, cognitive impairment and descending consciousness progressing to coma. After discontinuation of VPA she regained full consciousness, could talk and feed herself. The extrapyramidal and cognitive symptoms completely subsided during the following months. VPA-induced encephalopathy is an uncommon but serious adverse effect that should be considered in patients with cognitive decline during VPA treatment.
authors.forename: Sivagini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harbo
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid