{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Lacosamide monotherapy for the treatment of childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.
{Author}: Okanishi T;Fujii Y;Sakuma S;Shiraishi H;Motoi H;Yazaki K;Enoki H;Fujimoto A;Okanishi T;Fujii Y;Sakuma S;Shiraishi H;Motoi H;Yazaki K;Enoki H;Fujimoto A;
{Journal}: Brain Dev
{Volume}: 44
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: Jun 2022
{Factor}: 2.272
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.braindev.2022.02.005
{Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: Childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (CECTS) is known as age-limited focal epilepsy syndrome in childhood. Lacosamide is a third-generation antiepileptic drug. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lacosamide monotherapy for the treatment of CECTS.
METHODS: We enrolled 18 patients (6 girls and 12 boys) who met the following criteria: 1) the age of onset of the seizures was between 3 and 13 years of age; 2) showing at least hemifacial and/or oropharyngeal seizures; 3) interictal discharges in central and/or middle temporal electrodes; 4) no intellectual disability; 5) treatment duration of lacosamide monotherapy over 6 months. We retrospectively collected and analyzed clinical data and treatment information. We evaluated the seizure occurrences during 0-3, 4-6, and 7-12 months from the treatment initiation and the last 6 months of the follow-up. We also evaluated the outcomes as seizure-free if the patients developed no seizures both over 6 months and 3 times of pretreatment mean seizure interval at the last follow-up.
RESULTS: Of the patients, 39%, 67% and 72% were seizure-free during 0-3, 4-6, and 7-12 months from treatment initiation, respectively. Finally, 83% of the patients achieved seizure freedom. Seizure freedom was achieved in 72% during the first 4 months of treatment. All patients continued lacosamide monotherapy during the study, although four patients showed transient fatigue or somnolence.
CONCLUSIONS: Lacosamide showed good efficacy for controlling seizures with fewer adverse effects, and therefore may be a good candidate as a first-line medication for the treatment of new-onset CECTS.