Effect of Gabapentin on the EEG of patients with refractory partial seizures

Abstract

Gabapentin (GBP) is an effective drug in the treatment of refractory partial epilepsy, but the effect of GBP on the electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been studied. Serial EEGs were performed in 25 patients with refractory partial epilepsy, who took part in an open clinical trial of GBP as add-on therapy. About an equal number of patients had no change, better EEGs, and worse EEGs. Correlation was poor between EEG changes and change in seizure frequency. Thus, inclusion of EEGs in the protocol of a drug trial for epilepsy is probably not beneficial.