Epilepsia
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To study the impact of nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on health care utilization and direct medical costs in a Medicaid population. ⋯ Nonadherence to AEDs appears to be associated with serious outcomes, as evidenced by increased utilization and costs of inpatient and ED services.
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Valproate (VPA) interferes with mitochondrial metabolism causing hyperammonemia, thereby shifting the balance reaction of glutamine (Gln)/glutamate (Glu) toward Gln. In this study we wanted to determine whether metabolic changes could be reproduced in VPA-treated patients with epilepsy and whether the results differed from those known in chronic hepatic encephalopathy (CHE). ⋯ In VPA-treated patients the alteration of the Glu/Gln ratio differs from that in patients with CHE, where Glx is markedly increased because of an increase in Gln. The expected shift from the biochemical balance reaction of Gln/Glu induced by VPA could be reproduced for the parietal lobe. Significantly reduced mI in the parietal lobe of VPA-treated patients most likely reflects an osmolytic compensation for high Gln.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam as add-on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures.
To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra) as add-on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. ⋯ Add-on LEV was effective and well-tolerated in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effects of lamotrigine compared with levetiracetam on anger, hostility, and total mood in patients with partial epilepsy.
To assess anger/hostility during treatment with lamotrigine adjunctive therapy versus levetiracetam adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures. ⋯ Adjunctive lamotrigine significantly improved Anger-Hostility subscale scores relative to adjunctive levetiracetam in patients with partial seizures at the end of 20 weeks. This difference was consistently observed throughout the treatment period. Similar improvement with lamotrigine versus levetiracetam was observed for other mood symptoms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Pregabalin add-on therapy using a flexible, optimized dose schedule in refractory partial epilepsies: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin (PGB) as adjunctive therapy, using a flexible-dosing schedule in Korean patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. ⋯ PGB was effective and easily tolerable as add-on treatment in an Asian population with refractory partial-onset seizures.