Topiramate in frontal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is a type of epilepsy that is difficult to treat and there are few studies about the use of topiramate (TPM).

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of TPM monotherapy in FLE.

METHODS:

The study group consisted of 55 (33 male; 22 female) patients. TPM was administered as a first drug (n = 16) or converted after previous treatment (n = 39). All patients were followed every 3 months for at least 1 year. The patients were subdivided into two groups: 'newly diagnosed' patients and 'difficult-to-treat' patients.

RESULTS:

Overall, all patients completed the 1-year study. At the end of follow-up, 10 patients showed disappearance of seizures and 33 patients showed improvement in seizure frequency. In particular, among the newly diagnosed patients 6/16 patients showed complete cessation of seizures and 5/16 patients showed very good response; in the other group, 4/39 patients showed complete cessation and 4/39 patients showed a very good response. No patients of both groups had worsening of seizures. No treatment-limiting adverse events associated with TPM were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

TPM is effective in newly diagnosed patients with FLE; TPM can be considered for the treatment of FLE.

• Authors: A Verrotti, V Sofia, E Franzoni, G Coppola, R Manco, G L Ciambra, S Savasta, F Chiarelli, P Iannetti
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 115 Issue 2 Pg. 132-5 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 17212619 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe (drug therapy)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Fructose (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Compliance
• Retrospective Studies
• Topiramate
• Treatment Outcome