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QPEEG analysis of the effects of sodium valproate on adult Chinese patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures

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Abstract

Objectives EEG effects of the sustained-release form of sodium valproate (SR-VPA) are unknown, although it is widely used in Chinese patients with generalized tonicclonic seizures (GTCS). Methods Fourteen newly diagnosed, untreated GTCS patients were recruited and treated with SR-VPA. Waking EEG was recorded and analyzed by way of quantitative pharmaco-electroencephalogram (QPEEG) analysis during the three-month follow-up. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in the absolute power of the delta band (P < 0.05), theta band (P < 0.03) and partial alpha-1 band (p < 0.05) with treatment compared to before treatment, while there was no significantly different absolute power between one-month and three-months after treatment. There was a strong correlation between the decrease in absolute power and the degree of the initial abnormality in all frequency bands. Two of 14 patients experienced seizures during the second month after initiation of SR-VPA therapy. Conclusions SR-VPA selectively decreased the activity of the abnormal EEG synchronization in a use-dependent manner. The reduced theta, delta, and partial alpha-1 absolute power may reflect or confirm the efficacy of SR-VPA on patients with GTCS.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by Chongqing Health Bureau Fund, China (No.2011–2–118 to KBZ) and a grant from Science Foundation of Chongqing Science and Technology Commission, China (CSTC2012jjA0208 to KBZ). We thank Elena A. Kharlamov for assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kebin Zeng.

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Guo, J., Wang, D., Ren, M. et al. QPEEG analysis of the effects of sodium valproate on adult Chinese patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Metab Brain Dis 29, 801–807 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9561-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9561-0

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