[Clinical importance of EEG changes during the treatment of epilepsy with valproate (depakene chrono)]

In 24 patient with epilepsy in the age fo 6-46 years the EEG was studied before treatment and after stabilization of the initial and corrected dozes of valproate (depakine chrono). The manual analysis with the formalized quantitative estimation of indexes of epileptic activity (El) and computerized mapping of spectral power in the main bands of EEG was carried out. In 18 patients remission of a half-year and more was achieved. Average El before treatment in all group was 15.1 +/- 1.9, on the initial stabilized doze (10-15 mg/kg/day)--4.3 +/- 1.2 (p = 0.000), at increase of a doze > 15 mg/kg/day, on the average it was not revealed of the further change of El. There was significant positive correlation between epileptic activity in EEG, expressed by El and number of attacks in the patient per one month on the moment of EEG research (r = 0.65, t = 6.58). In 6 patients with farmacoresistence the index of epileptic activity was significantly higher (El = 11.7 +/- 4.3), than in the patients with good effect (El = 1.9 +/- 0.8, p < 0.002). In data of the computer analysis under influence of depakine chrono the reduction of power in all bands and leads was observed, except occipital lobes where the increase of alpha-power was observed. This reflects reduction of epileptic activity and restoration of normal EEG, which accompanied the improvement of social and psychic adaptation. The results of the study demonstrate that automated or manual EEG control is important factor of correct selection of a valproate doze during treatment, that allows not only to suppress effectively the attacks, but on the minimal but sufficient doze to reach improvement of psycho-social functioning and to reduce terms of treatment, at the expense of control of an unpredictable relapse of attacks.