Neurobehavioral effects of anticonvulsants

Article Abstract:

A research study by Dikmen and colleagues in the March 13, 1991 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association reports negative effects on cognitive function of phenytoin, an anticonvulsant drug. Subjects with head injuries received either phenytoin (often prescribed in such cases to prevent seizures) or a placebo (inactive) drug for 12 months and underwent neurobehavioral testing 1, 12, and 24 months after injury. Those who had received phenytoin performed more poorly on several tests than those who had received the placebo, indicating that prophylactic use of at least this anticonvulsant after head injury should be questioned. Evidence is cited from other studies that attempted to evaluate the effects of such drugs on healthy volunteers and on animals; in general, the drugs reduce cognitive performance. It appears that newer anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine and valproate sodium, have fewer adverse effects on cognition than older medications such as phenytoin and phenobarbital. At the same time, anticonvulsants may have positive effects as psychotropic drugs (for treating psychiatric disorders). More research is needed to determine the effects of these drugs on conditions not associated with epilepsy or seizures; with such information, better decisions can be made concerning their use in seizure patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Anticonvulsants, editorial, Phenytoin

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Effects of pegorgotein on neurologic outcome of patients with severe head injury: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

The free radical scavenger pegorgotein does not appear to reduce the severity of head injuries but it may protect against adult respiratory distress syndrome in these patients. Pegorgotein is the technical name for polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase. In a study of 463 patients with a severe head injury randomly assigned to take placebo, a 10,000 Units per kilogram (kg) dose or a 20,000 U/kg dose of pegorgotein, there were no statistically significant differences in outcome between the groups. However, those who received 10,000 U/kg were less likely to develop adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Prevention, Superoxide dismutase, Free radical reactions

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Neurobehavioral outcomes of school-age children born extremely low birth weight or very preterm in the 1990s

Article Abstract:

Children who were born very prematurely with very low birth weights may have difficulty in school as they grow older, according to a study of 560 schoolchildren who had been born in 1991-1992. The children who were born before 28 weeks or weighed two pounds or less at birth had lower scores on tests of IQ, verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, reading, spelling, and arithmetic. They were also more likely to have behavior problems, hyperactivity, and poor attention spans.

Health aspects, Patient outcomes, Prognosis, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Premature birth

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