Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
08:26

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Published on: January 11, 2016

Motor impairments in children with epilepsy treated with carbamazepine

G Braathen1, L von Bahr, K Theorell

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|April 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment in children with epilepsy may impair motor skills. Stopping CBZ led to significant improvements in motor function tests, suggesting potential adverse effects of the drug on motor proficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children.
  • Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a widely used antiepileptic drug.
  • Potential neurodevelopmental side effects of CBZ in children require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment on motor functions in children with epilepsy.
  • To assess whether motor function improvements occur after discontinuing CBZ therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Nineteen children with epilepsy were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency during CBZ treatment and 6 months after withdrawal.
  • Plasma CBZ concentrations were monitored to ensure they remained within therapeutic limits.
  • A separate group of 12 children was tested twice during continuous CBZ treatment over 6 months.

Main Results:

  • Children showed significant improvements in response speed, fine-motor skills, and overall motor proficiency after discontinuing CBZ.
  • A trend towards improved upper limb coordination was observed post-CBZ withdrawal.
  • A separate cohort on continuous CBZ treatment showed no overall change, except for impaired visual-motor control in the second assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Carbamazepine treatment may negatively affect motor functions in children with epilepsy.
  • Withdrawal of CBZ therapy can lead to measurable improvements in motor skills.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the specific mechanisms of CBZ's impact on pediatric motor development.

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.