Neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic profiles of lamotrigine in epilepsy

The anticonvulsant potential of lamotrigine (LTG) has been extensively assessed in open and double-blind clinical trials including patients with different types of epilepsy. In this review, the neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic profile of LTG is discussed. The electroencephalographic (EEG) findings reveal that the drug induces a decrease both in frequency and in probability of propagation of the EEG epileptiform abnormalities (interictal and ictal), whereas the background activity appears unmodified. In contrast with the traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), LTG does not affect evoked responses (brainstem auditory evoked potentials and somatosensory and visual evoked potentials), indicating only a minor toxic effect on the nervous system. The neuropsychologic assessment shows that LTG does not alter the cognitive functions. In conclusion, the neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic data confirm the efficacy and safety of LTG and support its clinical use as monotherapy in epilepsy.