Some psychotic disorders may be induced by drugs designed to combat effects of epilepsy

Today Brain publishes a new study indicating that antiepileptic drugs designed to reduce seizures, may also induce psychotic disorders in some patients.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. People with epilepsy have increased vulnerability to psychiatric problems.

However, it is also possible that the drugs used by patients to control their seizures may increase the risk of in certain people.

To test this possibility, researchers screened the medical records of 2630 patients with epilepsy and identified 98 (3.7%) with . Among these, 14 (14.3%) were diagnosed as having a psychotic disorder that had been triggered by their . Ten of the patients in the antiepileptic drug-induced psychosis group were female, and ten had a type of epilepsy called temporal lobe epilepsy.

The researchers determined that, among epilepsy patients with psychotic disorders, one in seven could potentially be attributed to antiepileptic drugs. Women and those with temporal lobe seem to be more likely to develop psychological problems in response to antiepileptic medication.

More information: Ziyi Chen et al, Psychotic disorders induced by antiepileptic drugs in people with epilepsy, Brain (2016). DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww196

Journal information: Brain
Citation: Some psychotic disorders may be induced by drugs designed to combat effects of epilepsy (2016, August 9) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-08-psychotic-disorders-drugs-combat-effects.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Folic acid during pregnancy could help to prevent autism caused by antiepileptic drugs

6 shares

Feedback to editors