[Gamma-vinyl-GABA: the first trials in Italy]

Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl-GABA), a structural analogue of GABA, is a selective inhibitor of GABA transaminase. Vigabatrin has been effective in patients with refractory epilepsy. We treated patients with complex partial seizures and some of them also with secondary generalized seizures. Vigabatrin was administered as "add on therapy" (Table 1) and monotherapy (Table 2). As to table 1, concerning a variety of treatments and too few patients we could not reach any definitive statistical conclusion (paired Student's t test not significant). In table 2 the paired Student's t test was significant with p < 0.01. Longer follow-up is needed to determine whether the clinical effect is maintained and no severe side effects appear.