HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME: Take the course for this article: Volume 67, Number 11, December 12, 2006 Data Supplement Korean Translation Correspondence: Submit a response Correspondence: View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ettinger, A. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ettinger, A. B. Related Collections All Neuropsychology/Behavior All Psychiatric disorders All Epilepsy/Seizures Antiepileptic drugs

Psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs

From North Shore-LIJ Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers, New Hyde Park, NY.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Alan B. Ettinger, EEG Lab, North Shore-LIJ, Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers, 270-05 76th Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040; e-mail: aettinge{at}lij.edu

Background: Mood disorder symptoms are common in patients with epilepsy. Since antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can affect these symptoms, knowledge of the psychotropic properties of AEDs is crucial. We review most studies of the psychotropic effects of AEDs that have involved potential psychiatric applications and have been reported in the psychiatric literature.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify relevant clinical trial reports on the efficacy of AEDs for mood disorders.

Results: There have been few randomized controlled trials studying AED psychotropic properties in patients with epilepsy, but some randomized controlled trials of potential psychiatric indications for AEDs have been published. Data from these studies suggest that specific AEDs have mood stabilizing, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties, while others may elicit depression, agitation, or psychosis.

Conclusion: Antiepileptic drug selection should consider potential effects on mood and behavior.

Additional material related to this article can be found on the Neurology Web site. Go to www.neurology.org and scroll down the Table of Contents for the December 12 issue to find the title link for this article.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Received March 30, 2006. Accepted in final form August 1, 2006.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. S. Boylan and A. B. Ettinger Psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs Neurology, October 16, 2007; 69(16): 1640 - 1640. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Mazza, M. Di Nicola, G. D. Marca, L. Janiri, P. Bria, and S. Mazza Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy: A Bidirectional Relation? Neurobiological Underpinnings, Current Hypotheses, and Future Research Directions Neuroscientist, August 1, 2007; 13(4): 392 - 404. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Psychotropic Effects of AEDs Journal Watch Neurology, February 27, 2007; 2007(227): 3 - 3. [Full Text]

				Reviews of Note Journal Watch Psychiatry, January 22, 2007; 2007(122): 3 - 3. [Full Text]

Correspondence: