Gabitril Improves Seizure Control from [italic]Extratemporal Foci[/italic] in Children.
Abstract number :
1.172
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
2195
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
A. Hanny, LCSW, Clinical Studies, Epilepsy and Neurodevelopment, INC., Salt Lake City, UT; M.J. Litzinger, MD, Clinical Studies, Epilepsy and Neurodevelopment, INC., Salt Lake City, UT
RATIONALE: To provide successful medication choices a retrospective chart review was done of children treated with Gabitril (Tiagabine, TGB).EEGs and MRIs were reviewed. Patterns were identified for those who did well on TGB. Using this method,TGB was found to be effective as an add-on therapy in extratemporal foci of refractory institutionalized patients(Litzinger,Wiscomb and Hanny, Epilepsia 41 suppl.7 pg 230). We have also reported on children whose behavioral profiles improved with TGB treatment of their partial seizures(Hanny and Litzinger, Epilepsia 40 suppl.7 pg 132). Could this extra temporal foci found in the refractory patients be the same foci found in pediatric patients?
METHODS: A chart review was done on children between 4-12 years old who continued on TGB as add-on therapy for partial seizures because their parents reported a reduction in seizure activity. Twenty six EEGs and 25 MRIs were examined to identify the seizure focus (Table 1). The review showed 12 boys and 14 girls had specific regions of the brain identifiable as the source of their seizure activty.
RESULTS: Of the 26 EEGs reviewed, 16 were in the Frontal Lobe, 5 in the Parietal Lobe, 4 in the Occipital Lobe and one EEG showed a generalized seizure disorder(MRI was focal). MRIs showed 13 which were normal and 7 were non-focal. Of the 5 remaining focal MRIs, 1 showed Frontal and 4 were Occipital abnormalities. One child is still awaiting scanning. See Table 1.
CONCLUSIONS: The Frontal Lobe EEG/MRI abnormalites seen in this review could explain both the behavioral problems and the refractory seizures. Gabitril (TGB) is effective for refractory partial seizure from extratemporal foci of the brain in children.[table]
Support: Partial funding to support this review was from Cephalon Pharmaceuticals, Westchester, PA.
Disclosure: Grant - Grant have been received from Abbott,Cephalon,Novartis and Pfizer. Consulting - Consulting Fees have been received from Abbott, Cephalon, Novartis, Parke Davis, Pfizer, Galaxo Wellcome, Cyberonics and Ortho McNeil. Honoraria - Honoraria for speaking have been received from Abbott,Cephalon,Elan, Novartis, Parke Davis, Pfizer, Glaxo Welcome and Shire Richwood. Other - Drug trials have been done with Abbott, Cephalon, Park Davis, Pfizer and Elan.