Quantitative pharmaco-EEG of sustained release valproate in epileptics

The quantitative background EEG effects and serum concentration of the sustained-release form of VPA (SR-VPA) were studied after single-dose administration in 10 previously untreated epileptic patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The result showed an increase of power of alpha 2 band on the occipital areas, a decrease of power of beta band (diffuse and preponderant on posterior scalp areas) with the increase of serum concentration. Both effects were found to reach their maxima and minima respectively when the peak values of serum concentration were reached. A positive correlation between alpha 2 power on the occipital areas and serum concentration was observed, and a negative correlation of serum concentration and beta power were detected on the posterior scalp areas.