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NEUROLOGY 2006;67:S39-S44
© 2006 American Academy of Neurology

Neurology supplements are not peer-reviewed. Information contained in Neurology supplements represent the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views of the American Academy of Neurology, Editor-in-Chief, or Associate Editors of Neurology.

Optimizing therapy of seizures in adult patients with psychiatric comorbidity

Eylert Brodtkorb, MD, PhD and Marco Mula, MD

From the Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway (Dr. Brodtkorb) and Department of Neurology, Amedeo Avogadro University, Novara and Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnologies, University of Pisa, Italy (Dr.Mula)

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Eylert Brodtkorb, Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway; e-mail: eylert.brodtkorb{at}ntnu.no

This article provides an overview of appropriate antiepileptic treatment in adult patients with chronic epilepsy and concomitant psychiatric disorders. It highlights the influence of various treatment options for epilepsy on psychiatric symptoms. Six specific topics are discussed: psychosocial aspects and treatment compliance; positive and negative psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between AEDs and psychoactive drugs; risks and benefits of resective surgery; the effect of vagal nerve stimulation; and recommended strategies for optimizing epilepsy therapy in patients with psychiatric disorders. Given the multitude of epilepsy treatment options with various CNS effects, it is crucial to select treatments according to the clinical profile of each individual patient.

This supplement has been supported through an unrestricted grant from UCB S.A., manufacturers of levetiracetam (Keppra®).

Disclosure: Dr. Brodtkorb has previously received speaker fees from the sponsor of this supplement. Dr. Mula reports no conflicts of interest.

Neurology supplements are not peer-reviewed. Information contained in Neurology supplements represents the opinions of the authors and is not endorsed by nor does it reflect the views of the American Academy of Neurology, Editorial Board, Editor-in-Chief, or Associate Editors of Neurology.