Transitory cognitive impairment in epileptic children during a CPT task.

EEGs and behavioral responses were studied in two sex matched groups of 58 epileptic and 20 healthy children between 8 and 12 years of age, during the execution of a go-no go CPT (X; A-X) task to determine transitory cognitive impairment (TCI) incidence. Paroxysmal discharges were found on 87.9% and 5% of the EEGs in the epileptic and control groups respectively, with no differences related to sex. The predominant EEG findings with respect to paroxysmal discharges were the association of two or more types of paroxysms with frequency higher than 5/minute, an average duration less than 0.5 second and topographical distribution over temporal-parietal-occipital areas without significant interhemispheric differences. TCI was detected in 36.2% of epileptic children. The epileptic group showed significantly higher numbers of behavioral errors and longer reaction times (RTs) in relation to the control group. Analyzing RTs on the two blocks of the task, linear discriminant analysis showed an acceptable classification of TCI incidence between groups.

[A randomised open trial comparing monotherapy with topiramate versus carbamazepine in the treatment of paediatric patients with recently diagnosed epilepsy]. / Estudio abierto aleatorio y comparativo de monoterapia con topiramato frente a carbamacepina en el tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos con epilepsia de reciente diagnóstico.

INTRODUCTION: In some studies in children, topiramate showed efficacy. AIM: To evaluate efficacy, tolerability and safety of topiramate in monotherapy in newly diagnosed epilepsy vs carbamazepine in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a multicentre, open-label, comparative and randomized study patients with partial epilepsy, were randomized to received topiramate or carbamazepine treatment. Patients with degenerative disease were excluded. Data were analysed by SPSS statistical program v. 11.0, and non parametric test. Comparisons between groups were made with chi square test and t Student's test. RESULTS: In total were included 88 patients, 33 in group 1 (topiramate), 32 group 2 (carbamazepine), 23 were drop-outs because adverse events and lost in follow-up (13 in group 1 y 10 group 2). In both groups were observed good efficacy, in month 6 and 9 of follow-up, the average of seizures in group 1 were better than group 2 (p = 0.01, t Student's test). The percentage of free seizure patients was greater in group 1 than group 2 (statistical significance p = 0.02 chi square test). The adverse events were similar in both groups and mild, somnolence 9%, weight loss 6% in group 1 and somnolence 19%, dizziness 3% and seizure discontrol 3% in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Good efficacy in both groups, and topiramate in good treatment choice in newly diagnosed epilepsy in children because it's the efficacy and tolerability in comparison with the gold standard carbamazepine.