Neuropediatrics 2005; 36 - P66
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-868051

Positive cognitive profile of Lamotrigin – Do physicians and parents agree?

V Brodbeck 1, V Jansen 1, U Tauer 1, C Mühe 1, G Weber 2, F Heinen 1
  • 1Kinderklinik und Kinderpoliklinik, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, LMU München, Abteilung für Pädiatrische Neurologie und Entwicklungsneurologie, München
  • 2Klinik für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum Duisburg, Wedau-Kliniken, Neuropädiatrie, Duisburg

Objectives: Lamotrigin (LTG) was reported to have a positive cognitive profile. Do physicians and parents of children with long-term LTG treatment confirm this?

Material and Methods: Retrospective data acquisition through semistructured, qualitative interviews with epileptologists. 119 patients and 71 of their parents were included. Besides acquisition of epidemiological data, improvement or worsening of cognition and vigilance were rated on a 5-point scale before any treatment with LTG, during the dose-in phase, during the targeted dosage and, during the individual optimal dosage.

QOL score was assessed in parents' interview comparing time before and during LTG treatment.

Results: Monotherapy n=20, add-on n=99. Mean age of patients 8.7 years, mean duration of treatment 2.5 years. Classification of epilepsies: Idiopathic epilepsies 16%, symptomatic epilepsies 62%, unclassified epilepsies 22%. Epileptologists' rating of cognition was: not altered in 75% of cases, improved in 16% and worsened in 8% cases compared to the time before LTG. Vigilance was rated as unchanged in 80%, improved in 9% and worsened in 2%. Parents' rating showed no differences. QOL improved with LTG.

Conclusions: Our qualitative evaluation shows neutral to beneficial effects of LTG concerning cognition and vigilance. Physicians' and parents' opinions concur. LTG is confirmed as a safe anticonvulsive drug with a positive cognitive profile.