Cognitive functioning in patients with complex absence following treatment with sodium valproate.

The association of sodium valproate with cognitive functions was studied in 29 patients with complex absence seizures. Seventeen patients were on monotherapy and twelve on polypharmacy with sodium valproate. Cognitive functions assessed were attention, speech, visuo-speciat perception, memory and intelligence. Behavioral disturbances were also assessed. Two assessments were made six months apart; in the first assessment, attention and speech were adequate, while memory, visuo-spatial perception, and behavioral functioning were impaired. Intelligence was lower in the polypharmacy group, while other functions were similar. In the second assessment, intelligence and visual memory improved in the monotherapy group, while no changes were present in the polypharmacy group.