Behavioral and Cognitive Effects of Anticonvulsant Therapy

There are many potential adverse influences that may impact upon cognitive and behavioral problems of children who have epilepsy. These include inherited tendencies, the underlying epilepsy, associated brain pathology, and psychosocial factors. The role of anticonvulsant therapy in producing adverse neuropsychologic effects has, until recently, been largely ignored. Despite methodologic problems, the Committee on Drugs believes that there is now sufficient information to suggest that antiepileptic therapy has an adverse influence on mental and behavioral functions. Physician awareness of these effects may significantly affect medical practice by influencing the initiation and termination of therapy, the selection of drugs, and approaches to the monitoring of side effects.