ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated neurocognitive profile of patients with epilepsy treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA).

Epilepsy patients who were treated with CBZ and VPA at outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2015 and a healthy control group were included in the study. Neurocognitive findings (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], clock-drawing test, verbal and visual memory tests, digit span test, verbal fluency test) of the groups were compared.

Thirty patients with epilepsy treated with CBZ (n=17) and VPA (n=13) and healthy control group (n=21) were included in the study. Clock drawing test score was lower in CBZ group (p=0.024) and forward digit span test score was lower in VPA group (p=0.039) than the healthy controls. There was no significant difference in neurocognitive findings between CBZ and VPA groups.

The lack of difference in cognitive findings between CBZ and VPA groups suggests that when beginning treatment, the choice of antiepileptic drug should be determined based on type of seizure.

Keywords: Carbamazepine, epilepsy, neurocognitive evaluation, valproic acid