Biomaterial Database

[Sodium valproate and cognitive function]. 1994

B Bourgeois

Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.

In patients with epilepsy, cognitive functions can be affected by several factors individually or in combination. These complex interactions between various factors have been responsible for considerable methodological problems in the assessment of the effect of individual antiepileptic drugs on cognitive functions. A discussion on the effect of sodium valproate on cognitive functions should consider three aspects: whether valproate affects cognitive functions, how possible cognitive effects of valproate compare with those of other antiepileptic drugs, and finally whether valproate has a positive psychotropic effect. A suspected specific psychotropic effect of valproate could not be confirmed. The majorities of the studies in which the cognitive effects of valproate were assessed are comparative studies with other antiepileptic drugs in treated patients; however, some studies were based on the introduction or the discontinuation of valproate monotherapy or on a comparison between a high dose and a low dose. Like other antiepileptic drugs, sodium valproate can affect cognitive functions and behavior. When valproate has been compared with other antiepileptic drugs, the results have been either equal or in favor of valproate; however, overall these cognitive and behavioral effects are rather mild also for the other antiepileptic drugs and have been slightly overrated in the past.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008606	Mental Processes	Conceptual functions or thinking in all its forms.	Information Processing, Human,Human Information Processing
D009483	Neuropsychological Tests	Tests designed to assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors. They are used in diagnosing brain dysfunction or damage and central nervous system disorders or injury.	Aphasia Tests,Cognitive Test,Cognitive Testing,Cognitive Tests,Memory for Designs Test,Neuropsychological Testing,AX-CPT,Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome,CANTAB,Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery,Clock Test,Cognitive Function Scanner,Continuous Performance Task,Controlled Oral Word Association Test,Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System,Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment,Hooper Visual Organization Test,NEPSY,Neuropsychologic Tests,Neuropsychological Test,Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test,Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure,Symbol Digit Modalities Test,Test of Everyday Attention,Test, Neuropsychological,Tests, Neuropsychological,Tower of London Test,Neuropsychologic Test,Test, Cognitive,Testing, Cognitive,Testing, Neuropsychological,Tests, Cognitive
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004827	Epilepsy	A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)	Aura,Awakening Epilepsy,Seizure Disorder,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Auras,Cryptogenic Epilepsies,Cryptogenic Epilepsy,Epilepsies,Epilepsies, Cryptogenic,Epilepsy, Awakening,Seizure Disorders
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D014635	Valproic Acid	A fatty acid with anticonvulsant and anti-manic properties that is used in the treatment of EPILEPSY and BIPOLAR DISORDER. The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID levels in the brain or by altering the properties of VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS.	Dipropyl Acetate,Divalproex,Sodium Valproate,2-Propylpentanoic Acid,Calcium Valproate,Convulsofin,Depakene,Depakine,Depakote,Divalproex Sodium,Ergenyl,Magnesium Valproate,Propylisopropylacetic Acid,Semisodium Valproate,Valproate,Valproate Calcium,Valproate Sodium,Valproic Acid, Sodium Salt (2:1),Vupral,2 Propylpentanoic Acid