J Clin Neurol.  2007 Mar;3(1):31-37. 10.3988/jcn.2007.3.1.31.

Comparison of Cognitive Effects of Lamotrigine and Oxcarbazepine in Epilepsy Patients

• Seo JG
• Lee DI
• Hwang YH
• Lee HW
• Jung DK
• Suh CK
• Kwon SH
• Park SP

• KMID: 1700684
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2007.3.1.31

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
This study compared the cognitive effects of 1 year of treatment with lamotrigine (LTG) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in epilepsy patients.
METHODS
This retrospective study investigated 60 epilepsy patients undergoing neuropsychological tests who were either newly diagnosed or untreated in the preceding 6 months. The cognitive function in 30 patients receiving LTG monotherapy and 30 age-matched patients receiving OXC monotherapy was compared after 1 year. The neuropsychological scores at baseline and all of the epilepsy-relevant variables except seizure type did not differ between the groups. The mean daily dosages of LTG and OXC at 1 year were 93 mg and 825 mg, respectively.
RESULTS
The posttreatment list-learning performance was better in the LTG group than in the OXC group (p<0.05). The incidence of cognitive complaints did not differ between the two groups. The list-learning performance and Trail Making Test scores were better in each group after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
LTG and OXC monotherapies have similar, slightly beneficial effects on cognitive function, and are probably not harmful.

Keyword

Adverse effects; Cognition; Lamotrigine; Oxcarbazepine

MeSH Terms

Cognition
Epilepsy*
Humans
Incidence
Neuropsychological Tests
Retrospective Studies
Seizures
Trail Making Test

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