[Anticonvulsant and psychotropic effects of topamax capsules]

Anticonvulsant and psychotropic effects of "Topamax capsules"(TC) were compared to a traditional form of topiramate (TFT) and some other anticonvulsant drugs (ACD). Thirty-six patients (12 men and 24 women) with partial temporary epilepsy were examined. Sixteen patients received TFT in tablets and 20 patients received ACD before the beginning of the study. Drug effect was assessed by frequency of seizures and some neuropsychiatric parameters. The results revealed that TC was comparable to TFT and ACD in the reduction of seizures of any semiotics. After 3 months of therapy, total MMSE scores increased from 27 to 28. There were less perseverant errors and more right responses in the WCST. Verbal fluency and memory measured with Sunderland test improved as well. TC led to decreased latencies of negative responses in the WCST and increased verbal fluency compared to TFT. Patients who received TFT prior to TC did fewer errors in the WCST than patients who received ACD prior to TC. Verbal fluency improved compared to patients who received other ACD. At the same time, a somewhat increase of paranoid signs on the scale SCL-90 was noted in the group treated with topiramate only. It has been concluded that TC has an activating effect on frontal brain areas.