Abstract
Objective: This review summarizes the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, an intractable epileptic encephalopathy of early childhood. In particular, the review focuses on rufinamide, a recently released anticonvulsant medication with reported effectiveness in this epilepsy syndrome. Methods: A systematic literature search (PubMed) was performed to review the existing literature pertaining to the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as well as studies involving rufinamide as an anticonvulsant medication. Results: The published literature to date documents a beneficial effect of rufinamide on children over 4 years old with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Studies indicate a significant decrease in tonic and atonic seizure frequency as well as total seizure frequency compared to placebo-treated children. Rufinamide appears to be well tolerated and a safe medication, somnolence and vomiting being the most common side effects. Conclusions: Rufinamide is a promising adjunctive therapy for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, an intractable childhood epilepsy. To ensure its optimal effectiveness, clinicians must be familiar with the medication's clinical response profile and potential for adverse effects.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 547-551 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs |
|
State | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Epilepsy
- Epileptic encephalopathy
- Lennox-gastaut syndrome
- Pediatric
- Rufinamide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry