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Treatment of infantile spasms with tetrabenazine

R A Hrachovy1, J D Frost, D G Glaze

  • 1Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.

Epilepsia
|September 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Tetrabenazine did not effectively treat infantile spasms in twelve patients. The drug failed to improve spasms, EEG patterns, or developmental skills, indicating it is not a viable treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Infantile spasms are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
  • Hypsarrhythmia is a characteristic EEG pattern associated with infantile spasms.
  • Limited treatment options necessitate exploring novel therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of tetrabenazine in treating infantile spasms.
  • To assess the impact of tetrabenazine on EEG patterns and clinical outcomes.
  • To determine if tetrabenazine improves developmental and social skills in affected infants.

Main Methods:

  • Twelve infants diagnosed with infantile spasms and hypsarrhythmia were enrolled.
  • Patients received tetrabenazine for three weeks.
  • 24-hour polygraphic/video monitoring was conducted before and after treatment to objectively assess response.

Main Results:

  • No patient experienced cessation of infantile spasms.
  • No improvement in hypsarrhythmic EEG patterns was observed.
  • No significant changes in developmental or social skills were noted during tetrabenazine treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Tetrabenazine demonstrated no efficacy in treating infantile spasms.
  • The drug did not alter the characteristic EEG abnormalities or improve clinical status.
  • Tetrabenazine is not a recommended therapeutic option for infantile spasms.

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