Auditory event-related potentials (P300) in partial and generalized epileptic patients

AbstractWe evaluated the P300 components of event-related potentials (ERP) in 64 cryptogenic partial epilepsy (CPE) patients, and 52 idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) patients as well as in their age-matched control groups. The P200, N200 and P300 latencies recorded from Cz were significantly longer in CPE patients compared with those of their control group (P= 0.0371,P= 0.0092 andP= 0.0405, respectively). The P200 and N200 latencies recorded from Fz were significantly longer than in their control group (P= 0.0448 andP= 0.0107) while the prolongation in the P300 latencies was not found to be statistically significant (P= 0.0733). All latencies were longer in IGE patients, and the amplitudes of the N200/P300 components of ERP were lower in both epileptic groups compared with their control groups, but these differences were not significant. The prolongation of the P300 latencies was not correlated with the type or serum level of antiepileptic drug or seizure control. Our findings suggest that the prolongation of the P300 latency of ERP is related to the type of epilepsy

RELATIONSHIP OF LEUKOARAIOSIS TO VASCULAR RISK-FACTORS AND LESION TYPE IN STROKE PATIENTS

Nonspecific periventricular white matter lucencies on computed tomograms (leukoaraiosis) were found in 49 (55%) of 89 stroke patients. We compared the vascular risk factors and the types of stroke with and without leukoaraiosis. Patients with leukoaraiosis were significantly older than those without it. The duration of hypertension was longer than those without leukoaraiosis. Mean diastolic blood pressure was associated with leukoaraiosis. No association was found with systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, valvular disease and intermittent claudication. Patients with leukoaraiosis were significantly more likely to have lacunar infarcts on computed tomograms but were less likely to have cortical infarcts, subcortical infarcts or cerebral hemorrhage

Changes in the disposition of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites during pregnancy and the puerperium

Purpose: To determine potential changes in the plasma concentrations of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its metabolites during pregnancy and puerperium

Changes in the disposition of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites during pregnancy and the puerperium.

Purpose. To determine potential changes in the plasma concentrations of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its metabolites during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods. Five women receiving OXC monotherapy were followed prospectively during pregnancy and the puerperium. Four women were enrolled in the first trimester, and one woman, 2 weeks before delivery. Steady-state concentrations of OXC, its active R-(-)- and S-(+)-monohydroxy derivatives (MHD), and the additional metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-trans-dihydrodiol (DHD) were measured at regular intervals by an enantioselective HPLC assay. Results. In all samples, S-(+)-MHD was the most abundant compound in plasma and accounted almost entirely for the amount of active moiety (defined as the molar sum of OXC, R-(-)-MHD, and S-(+)-MHD) found in the circulation. The dose normalized concentrations of active moiety decreased markedly during gestation and, in four of the five patients, increased strikingly after delivery. Plasma concentrations of S-(+)-MHD mirrored closely the levels of the active moiety. Plasma concentrations of the parent drug and other metabolites also tended to decrease during pregnancy and to increase after delivery. Conclusions. During treatment with OXC, S-(+)-MHD is by far the most abundant active compound in plasma. The concentration of this metabolite as well as the active moiety may decrease markedly during pregnancy and may increase several fold after delivery. Because of these striking pharmacokinetic changes, the clinical response should be monitored closely in OXC-treated women throughout pregnancy and the puerperium