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Effects of oral choline on human complex partial seizures

From the Epilepsy Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

We carried out an open study of the effects of large doses (12 to 16 gm per day) of oral choline on medically intractable human complex partial seizures (CPS). Marked increases of plasma choline concentration (75 to 300%) in three subjects were associated with (1) shorter duration of CPS, (2) less postseizure fatigue, and (3) slight increase of seizure frequency. Both the patients and their families considered the patients much improved. No differences in any of these evaluations were noted in a fourth subject who had less of an increase (21%) of plasma choline content. The results suggest that oral choline therapy may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of intractable CPS. A blinded prospective study will be necessary to assess this possibililty.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. McNamara, Director, Epilepsy Center, Veterans Administration Medical Centers, Associate Professor of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.

Accepted for publication March 7, 1980.

This work was supported by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration and Grant NS 06233.