Therapeutic trial by taurine for intractable childhood epilepsies.

Taurine was administered orally to 25 intractable epileptic children, ranging in age from 4 months to 12 years. All patients had been suffered from frequent seizures daily in spite of vigorous anticonvulsant medication. Daily taurine doses ranged from 0.05 to 0.3 g/kg. Twelve patients received probenecid additionally in doses ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 g/day. Complete control of seizures was achieved in a case of Lennox syndrome, over 50% decrease of seizure frequency in 1 case, less than 50% decrease in 4 cases, and no effects in 18 cases. The effects of taurine often manifest only temporarily. Electroencephalographic abnormalities did not improve by taurine in 21 cases examined except 1 in which EEG markedly ameliorated along with clinical seizure control. In 6 patients, the concentration of taurine in CSF and serum did not change but urinary excretion increased. Four patients exhibited side effects of drowsiness and ataxia.