Effect of lamotrigine on EEG paroxysmal abnormalities and background activity: A computerized analysis

Little information is available about the action of lamotrigine (LTG) on EEG paroxysmal abnormalities and background activity. On the contrary, several clinical trials have shown the therapeutic efficacy of the drug in preventing partial and generalized seizures. We performed computerized EEG monitoring in 21 patients suffering from focal and generalized epilepsy before and 4 months after addition of LTG. The anticonvulsant modified the EEG ictal events by reducing their frequency and duration. A statistically significant decrease of the interictal spikes was observed. The decrease involved mainly the spreading component of the interictal events leading to a better spatial definition of the epileptic locus. In the presence of LTG, generalized tonic-clonic attacks were completely controlled, whereas partial seizures were decreased. The EEG background activity was not modified by the addition of the drug. Our findings suggest a specific role for LTG in the generation and propagation processes of epileptiform activity without interfering with the EEG background activity.