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Effects of lamotrigine on nocturnal sleep, daytime somnolence and cognitive functions in focal epilepsy
Author(s) -
Placidi F.,
Marciani M. G.,
Diomedi M.,
Scalise A.,
Giacomini P.,
Gigli G. L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2000.102002081.x
Subject(s) - somnolence , epilepsy , lamotrigine , medicine , polysomnography , anesthesia , psychology , psychiatry , adverse effect , apnea
Objectives – The aim of our study was to evaluate possible changes in nocturnal sleep, daytime somnolence and cognitive functions induced by add‐on therapy with lamotrigine (LTG). Material and methods – Thirteen patients affected by seizures resistant to common antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) underwent nocturnal polysomnographic monitorings, daytime somnolence evaluations and a neuropsychological battery before and after 3 months of treatment with LTG. Results – With LTG therapy we observed a significant increase in REM sleep and a significant reduction in the number of entries into REM and stage shifts. No significant correlation was observed between the decrease in nocturnal epileptiform activity and the increase in REM sleep. Other sleep parameters were unmodified. No significant changes were observed in daytime somnolence and in cognitive performances. Conclusion – LTG may produce positive effects on epileptic seizures and interictal abnormalities without interfering negatively on REM sleep, with improvement of sleep stability and without changes in daytime somnolence and neuropsychological performances. For these reasonsit could be an important drug for improving epileptic patients'quality of life.