Intractable epilepsy in children. The efficacy of lamotrigine treatment, including non-seizure-related benefits.

Fifty children and adolescents with intractable epilepsy were treated with lamotrigine. Most of the children had other neuro-impairments, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and autism, added to their epilepsy. Five stopped lamotrigine treatment within four months because of side effects. In the 45 children who continued treatment for a mean of 14 months, five became seizure-free and in 16 the seizure frequency was reduced more than 30 percent. Absences and complex partial seizures responded best. In 24 of the 45 children, the parents reported an improvement in the mental state of their child, with better contact, longer attention span and improved alertness. In eight of 13 autistic children, the autistic symptoms decreased during lamotrigine treatment. This also occurred in children with an unchanged seizure situation, indicating a specific positive psychotropic effect of lamotrigine in mentally retarded and autistic children.