Neurocognitive Evaluation in Epilepsy Patients Treated with Monotheraphy: A Preliminary Report

WOS: 000390945000004Objectives: The present study evaluated neurocognitive profile of patients with epilepsy treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA). Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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