Treatment of epilepsy for people with Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Any type of seizure can be observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Antiepileptic drugs seem to prevent the recurrence of epileptic seizures in most people with AD. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for epilepsy in people with AD. There are no current systematic reviews to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the treatment. […]
Immediate antiepileptic drug treatment, versus placebo, deferred, or no treatment for first unprovoked seizure
Abstract Background There is considerable disagreement about the risk of recurrence following a first unprovoked epileptic seizure. A decision about whether to start antiepileptic drug treatment following a first seizure should be informed by information on the size of any reduction in risk of future seizures, the impact on long-term seizure remission, and the risk […]
Vigabatrin versus carbamazepine monotherapy for epilepsy
Abstract Background This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2012 (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 1). The efficacy and safety of vigabatrin (VGB) as an add-on therapy for refractory epilepsy have been well established. However, this information needs to be weighed against the risk of development of visual field […]
Lacosamide add-on therapy for partial epilepsy
Abstract Background Around half of people with epilepsy will not achieve seizure freedom on their first antiepileptic drug; many will require add-on treatment with another drug. Sometimes multiple treatment combinations are tried to achieve maximum seizure control, although around a third of people do not achieve complete seizure control. Lacosamide is an antiepileptic drug that […]
Propofol versus thiopental sodium for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 8, 2012. Failure to respond to antiepileptic drugs in patients with uncontrolled seizure activity such as refractory status epilepticus (RSE) has led to the use of anaesthetic drugs. Coma is induced with anaesthetic drugs to achieve complete control of seizure […]
Clobazam monotherapy for partial-onset or generalized-onset seizures
Abstract Background There is a need to expand monotherapy options available to a clinician for the treatment of new partial-onset or generalized-onset seizures. A Cochrane systematic review for clobazam monotherapy is expected to define its place in the treatment of new-onset or untreated seizures and highlight gaps in evidence. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness, […]
Comparison of antiepileptic drugs, no treatment, or placebo for children with benign epilepsy with centro temporal spikes
Abstract Abstract Background Benign Epilepsy with Centro Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common epilepsy syndrome with onset in childhood which almost always remits by adolescence. It is characterised by focal seizures associated with motor signs and somatosensory symptoms, at times progressing to become generalised. The characteristic interictal EEG shows normal background activity with centrotemporal spikes […]
Treatment of infantile spasms
Abstract Background Infantile spasms (West’s Syndrome) is a syndrome that includes a peculiar type of epileptic seizure—the spasms—and an electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormality often called hypsarrhythmia. Psychomotor retardation is frequently found at follow-up. Approximately two-thirds of affected infants will have a detectable underlying neurological abnormality, but still little is known about the pathophysiological basis for infantile […]
Pregabalin monotherapy for epilepsy
Abstract Background Many people with epilepsy suffer from poorly controlled seizures, despite current antiepileptic treatments. Due to high rates of treatment resistance, there is interest in new pharmacological treatment options such as pregabalin. However, it remains unclear whether existing evidence of pregabalin is rigorous enough to support its monotherapy. Objectives To determine the efficacy and […]
Therapeutic monitoring of antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 1, 2007. The aim of drug treatment for epilepsy is to prevent seizures without causing adverse effects. To achieve this, drug dosages need to be individualised. Measuring antiepileptic drug levels in body fluids (therapeutic drug monitoring) is frequently used to […]