[Anticonvulsants and their psychological effects--a review]

In a review of more than 200 studies over the last three decades, the manifold psychic effects of anticonvulsives on healthy persons, on patients with and without epilepsy, on patients with mental disorders with or without cerebral damages are analysed and summarized. The following results are mainly shown: 1. Carbamazepine: a positive effect on "expansive" behaviour and mood can be observed in about 50-60% of the patients. The cognitive and psychomotor performance is almost unchanged. 2. Valproinate: Negative psychic effects can rarely be seen for a longer time (exception: reversible encephalopathy). The behaviour can similarly be influenced as with carbamazepine. 3. Phenytoin: Cognitive and psychomotor performance is negatively influenced. The effects on behaviour are contradictory. 4. Phenobarbitone and Primidone: Diverse negative effects on performance and behaviour, especially as "expansive" disorders in children and adolescents, seemed to be proven. 5. Ethosuximide: Beside the drug specific provocation of psychotic disorders, both, positive and negative effects on behaviour and cognitive functions are discussed. 6. The psychic effects of other anticonvulsives such as Benzodiazepines, Sulthiame and Pheneturide are shortly summarized. 7. Polytherapy: Negative influences on psychic functions are significant. Finally the results are discussed concerning their clinical relevance.