Although lacosamide decreased these common symptoms, the study excluded patients with major depression or bipolar disorder.
Depression and anxiety commonly occur in patients with epilepsy, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can either exacerbate or alleviate these symptoms. In a prospective, multicenter, open-label study, researchers examined the effect of a relatively new AED, lacosamide (a dibenzapine), on mood and anxiety symptoms in 49 patients with refractory focal epilepsy (mean age, 40; 51% women) who were taking another AED (monotherapy, 65%; 2 medications, 33%; 3medications, 2%).
Patients with major depressive or bipolar disorders were excluded. At baseline, depressive symptoms were common (39%–47%, based on the scale used), as was pathologic anxiety (45%–63%, based on the scale used). At 6 months, 28% of patients were free of seizures, and 67% showed a drug…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)