Update on the newer antiepileptic drugs in child neurology: Advances in treatment of pediatric epilepsy

Abstract

The goal of epilepsy treatment is the prevention of recurrent seizures, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay. Uncontrolled seizures may cause medical, developmental, and psychologic disturbances. Treatment advances include 1) identification of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy and action of AEDs, 2) the introduction of many new AEDs, and 3) the use of neurostimulation, starting with vagus nerve stimulation. We must balance the efficacy of an AED versus its side effects, which if persistent, lead to patient discontinuation of the AED. Although all AEDs have a proven efficacy, they are differentiated by their efficacy for a given seizure type or epilepsy syndrome versus the side effects or tolerability. The many new AEDs give us a larger armamentarium for epilepsy treatment. We refer to studies and expert opinion consensus.

Newer Anticonvulsant Medications in Pediatric Neurology

“…AEDs have commonly been divided into "old AEDs" and "new AEDs" [1]. The "old AEDs," introduced into the United States before 1978, include phenobarbital, ph enytoin, pr imid on e, eth osu xim id e, carbamazepine, and valproate.…”

Πειραματικό Μοντέλο Επιληψίας Σε Νεαρούς Επίμυες

“…Στη θεραπευτική φαρέτρα εκτός από το βαλπροϊκό νάτριο έχει προστεθεί και η λεβετιρακετάμη. Η πρόγνωση για φυσιολογική νευρολογική ανάπτυξη είναι εξαιρετική (7,18,19).…”