Long-term cognitive and EEG effects of tiagabine in drug-resistant partial epilepsy

• Published in: Epilepsy research 1996-11, Vol.25 (3), p.291-297
• Main Authors: Kälviäinen, R., Äikiä, M., Mervaala, E., Saukkonen, A.M., Pitkänen, A., Riekkinen, P.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Cognition; Cognition - drug effects; Double-Blind Method; EEG; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Epilepsies, Partial - drug therapy; Epilepsies, Partial - metabolism; Epilepsy; Female; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Nipecotic Acids - therapeutic use; Tiagabine
• ISSN: 0920-1211; 1872-6844
• DOI: 10.1016/S0920-1211(96)00084-8

A new anti-epileptic drug, tiagabine, is a potent inhibitor of GABA uptake into neurons and glia. Tiagabine has shown promising efficacy and safety profiles as add-on treatment for partial seizures. We evaluated the long-term effects of tiagabine on cognition and EEG in 37 patients with partial epilepsy. The study protocol consisted of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group add-on study and an open-label extension study. During the 3 month double-blind phase at low doses (30 mg/day) tiagabine treatment did not cause any cognitive or EEG changes as compared with placebo. Tiagabine treatment did not cause deterioration in cognitive performance or produce any rhythmic slow-wave activity or other constant, new abnormalities on EEG during longer follow-up with successful treatment on higher doses after 6–12 months (mean 65.7 mg/day, range 30–80 mg/day) and after 18–24 months (mean dose 67.6 mg/day, range 24–80 mg/day). The daily dosages in the long-term follow-up of the present study are higher than in the previous reports.