Adjunctive pregabalin therapy in mentally retarded, developmentally delayed patients with epilepsy
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Published on: May 16, 2019
Pradeep N Modur1, Warren E Milteer
1Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. p.modur@louisville.edu
Insights
Adjunctive pregabalin (PGB) therapy significantly reduced seizure frequency in patients with developmental delays and epilepsy. This epilepsy treatment showed a 71% responder rate with manageable side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Epileptology
Background:
- Epilepsy is common in individuals with developmental delays.
- Adjunctive therapies are often needed to manage seizures in this population.
- Pregabalin (PGB) is an antiepileptic drug with potential utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive pregabalin (PGB) in patients with developmental delays and epilepsy.
- To assess the impact of PGB on seizure frequency in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study design.
- Inclusion of seven patients with documented epilepsy and developmental delays.
- Assessment of seizure frequency changes from baseline to 12 weeks of PGB treatment.
Main Results:
- Pregabalin (PGB) significantly reduced the median frequency of seizure days per week (1.38 vs 0.50, P=0.018).
- A 50% responder rate of 71% was observed.
- Common adverse effects included weight gain, myoclonus, and sedation.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive pregabalin (PGB) is an efficacious treatment for reducing seizure frequency in patients with developmental delays and epilepsy.
- The tolerability profile of PGB in this population is acceptable, with manageable adverse effects.
Abstract:
This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive pregabalin (PGB) therapy in mentally retarded, developmentally delayed patients. The primary efficacy measure was the change in the median frequency of seizure days per week between the baseline (8 weeks prior to initiating PGB) and treatment (12 weeks of titration and maintenance) periods. Inclusion criteria were: documented epilepsy treated with antiepileptic drug, at least one seizure during the baseline period, and lack of prior exposure to PGB. Seven patients (four female, three male, mean age=43) with multiple seizure types (generalized tonic-clonic, tonic, partial, and atypical absence) met the inclusion criteria. The mean dose of PGB was 293 mg/day (range=150-350 mg/day). PGB was efficacious, resulting in a significant reduction in the median frequency of seizure days/week between baseline and treatment (1.38 vs 0.50, P=0.018). The 50% responder rate was 71%. The adverse effects at last follow-up (mean 13 months) included weight gain, myoclonus, and sedation.
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