Treatment with Sulthiame (Ospolot) in benign partial epilepsy of childhood and related syndromes: an open clinical and EEG study.

The effect of Sulthiame on the EEG and on clinical seizures was evaluated in an open uncontrolled study in 25 children with focal sharp waves on the EEG (FSW). 16 children had typical benign partial epilepsy with rolandic spikes (BPERS), 5 children with atypical forms and 4 children with no clinical seizures but cognitive disturbances possibly related to the FSW. The effect of Sulthiame in suppressing the EEG discharges was evaluated on the waking and sleep EEG before introduction of the drug, and at 3 - 6 months, 6 to 12 months and beyond while under therapy. The children were followed clinically for one to several years. The EEG discharges disappeared or decreased under Sulthiame in 13/21 cases at 3 to 6 months but reappeared in 3/13 cases beyond this period. No case had a worsening of the EEG or of clinical seizures under Sulthiame, and no cognitive stagnation was noted. Our data confirm the good tolerance and positive effects on the EEG and justify systematic trials of this drug in the partial "functional" epilepsies, especially when negative cognitive consequences of the epileptic discharges are suspected.