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Biomedical subjects

Anne Sabers

Publications and source records attributed to Anne Sabers.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Oxcarbazepine concentrations during pregnancy: a retrospective study in patients with epilepsy.

We assessed the concentration of the oxcarbazepine metabolite 10-hydroxycarbazepine (MHD) in nine pregnancies among seven women before, during, and after pregnancy. The mean dose-corrected concentration of MHD was decreased during pregnancy (analysis of variance, p = 0.0016), being 72% (SD = 13%) in the first trimester, 74% (SD = 17%) in the second trimester, 64% (SD = 6%) in the third trimester, and 108% (SD = 18%) after pregnancy vs the dose-corrected concentration before pregnancy.

Analysis of Variance↗

Source analysis of epileptic discharges using multiple signal classification analysis.

Multiple signal classification is an alternative to the traditional dipole fitting source analysis methods. Our aim was to assess the clinical usefulness of this algorithm and to compare the localization of the epileptiform electroencephalography discharges with the regions of altered cerebral blood flow in 10 patients with complex partial seizures undergoing preoperative investigation. We performed multiple signal classification analysis of ictal and interictal discharges, and registered single-photon emission computed tomography. Localization of the ictal, but not the interictal discharges, as determined by multiple signal classification analysis was consistent with the regions showing perfusion changes on the single-photon emission computed tomography. Multiple signal classification analysis is a promising tool in localizing foci in patients with complex partial seizures and may contribute to the preoperative evaluation.

Adult↗

[Danish clinical guidelines for epilepsy].

Danish clinical guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with epilepsy. Clinical problems are evaluated by conducting a systematic search for literature followed by critical reading and methodological assessment of the literature found. Recommendations are made based on the evidence. Some of the important recommendations are as follows: A detailed history taken from the individual and an eyewitness is the most important tool in the diagnosis of epilepsy. EEG should be performed to aid diagnosis and classification of suspected epilepsy. MRI should be used to identify structural abnormalities in focal epilepsy unless there is clear evidence of benign focal epilepsy. The choice of antiepileptic drug depends on the type of epilepsy and the tolerability profile of the drug. Newer antiepileptic drugs are in general better tolerated than older drugs, but not more effective. In the case of diagnostic uncertainty or uncontrolled seizures, the patient should be referred to a more specialised department in a timely manner. The specialist service should include a multidisciplinary team. Epilepsy surgery should be considered early in patients with refractory focal epilepsy.

Adult↗

Individual changes in lamotrigine plasma concentrations during pregnancy.

Eleven pregnant women on lamotrigine (LTG) monotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. A significant decrease in the ratio of plasma LTG concentration-to-dose by 65.1% was observed during the second trimester (TM2) (p=0.0058) and by 65.8% during TM3 (p=0.0045) compared to pre-pregnancy values. Five patients experienced seizure deterioration during pregnancy. The pharmacokinetic changes display marked inter-patient variation, which stresses the importance of evaluating each woman individually by closely monitoring LTG concentrations until term.

Adult↗

Oral contraceptives reduce lamotrigine plasma levels.

The mean steady-state plasma concentration of lamotrigine (LTG) was 13 micro mol/L in 22 women taking LTG in combination oral contraceptives (OC) compared with 28 micro mol/L among 30 women on LTG who did not take OC (p < 0.0001). The LTG dose/body weight/plasma concentration was 2.1 L/kg/day in women on OC compared with 0.8 L/kg/day in women without OC (p < 0.0001), indicating that LTG plasma levels are reduced by >50% during OC co-medication. It is advisable to monitor LTG plasma levels in conjunction with initiation or withdrawal of OC in women on LTG therapy.

Adolescent↗

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on cognitive function in individuals with epilepsy: a comparative review of newer versus older agents.

Several 'new' antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), i.e. oxcarbazepine, vigabatrin, lamotrigine, zonisamide, gabapentin, tiagabine, topiramate and levetiracetam have been introduced into clinical practice within the last decade. Most of these new drugs are at least as effective as the 'old' AEDs [phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobarbitone), valproic acid (sodium valproate) and carbamazepine] and, in general, they seem to be better tolerated than the old drugs. The new AEDs might have less influence on cognitive functions but the aspect has not been systematically studied. Neuropsychological testing has been the major method of objectively examining cognitive function related to the use of AEDs but a number of methodological problems blur the results. Alteration of cognition might reflect a chronic adverse effect of AEDs but the negative effects of the drugs are only one of several factors that may influence cognition. In addition, subjective complaints about cognitive deficits (e.g. memory problems or attention) may also reflect other aspects of adverse effects than those concerning specific cognitive functions (e.g. mood and anxiety). This review focuses on studies of the cognitive effects of the new AEDs, and in particular on studies that compare cognitive effects of the old and new drugs. In general, the new AEDs seem to display no or minor negative cognitive effects. In studies in which new AEDs have been compared with old AEDs, there was a tendency in favour of the new AEDs in some of the studies.

Adult↗