Carnitine Supplementation in Adult Patients with Hypocarnitinemia on Valproic Acid for Epilepsy.
Abstract number :
3.118
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
253
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
M. Jenkins, MD, Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; B. Young, MD, Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; S. Pigott, PhD, Psychology, London Health Sciences Centre,
RATIONALE: It has been reported that children on valproic acid (VPA) show increased lethargy and ataxia that improves with carnitine supplementation. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical effects of carnitine supplementation in adults with hypocarnitinemia on VPA for epilepsy.
METHODS: Eleven adults on VPA for epilepsy with decreased serum carnitine concentrations were chosen for the study. Each patient served as his/her own control. Patients were supplemented with 3 grams of carnitine per day orally for 6 weeks. Clincal measurements included logged sleep time, seizure frequency and performance on timed fine motor tasks (grooved pegboard and finger tapping). Biochemical measurements included free serum carnitine, acylcarnitine, ammonia and VPA concentrations.
RESULTS: Carnitine supplementation was associated with a significant improvement in motor speed (timed finger tapping) (p=.024) and a decline in sleep time (p=0.54). There was a trend towards improved fine motor dexterity (grooved pegboard)and reduced serum ammonia concentrations on carnitine although the values did not reach statistical significance. There was no change in seizure frequency or VPA levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Adults on VPA for seizures with low serum carnitine concentrations demonstrated a significant decrease in sleep time and improvement in finger tapping speed while on carnitine. There was a trend to improved perfomance on a test of motor dexterity.