Electrophysiological study in 2 children with transient hypohidrosis induced by topiramate.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Hypohidrosis, often associated with hyperthermia, has been reported, mostly in children, as a rare and reversible adverse effect of topiramate, an anticonvulsant drug with a broad spectrum of antiepileptic activity. The aim of our study is to detect a possible skin innervation involvement as the mechanism underlying hypohidrosis in children treated with topiramate.

METHODS:

A neurophysiological study has been performed on 2 children who have developed hypohidrosis under topiramate treatment. Electrophysiological data have been recorded during topiramate treatment and compared with a control group. Sympathetic skin responses have been recorded during topiramate assumption and after its discontinuation.

RESULTS:

In our 2 cases with hypohidrosis related to topiramate, electrophysiological study showed normal function of both beta and delta sensory fibers and absent sympathetic skin responses that recovered to normal after topiramate discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings confirm that topiramate might induce a transitory specific carbonic anhydrase block at the level of sweat glands, without involvement of peripheral nervous system.

• Authors: Lucia Margari, Patrizia Ventura, Maura Buttiglione, Anna Presicci, Elisabetta Lucarelli, Michele Sardaro, Olimpia Di Fruscolo, Marina de Tommaso
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) 2008 Nov-Dec Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 339-46 ISSN: 1537-162X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19050411 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Action Potentials (drug effects, physiology)
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects)
• Child
• Electrophysiological Phenomena (drug effects, physiology)
• Fructose (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Humans
• Hypohidrosis (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Male
• Neural Conduction (drug effects, physiology)
• Skin (drug effects, innervation)
• Skin Physiological Phenomena (drug effects)
• Sural Nerve (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Sweating (drug effects, physiology)
• Sympathetic Nervous System (drug effects)
• Topiramate
• Ulnar Nerve (drug effects, physiopathology)