Long-term effects of tiagabine monotherapy on cognition and mood in adult patients with chronic partial epilepsy

The long-term effects of tiagabine monotherapy on cognition and mood were evaluated in adult patients with chronic partial epilepsy in a 48-week, open-label extension period that followed an 8-week, double-blind, titration study. Cognitive function was evaluated using neuropsychological evaluations that measured learning and memory, general intellectual ability, attention and mental speed, and reaction speed. Mood was assessed using a Finnish modification of the Profile of Mood States. Of the 34 patients who entered the open-label extension period, 18 successfully continued long-term monotherapy and underwent neuropsychological evaluation at 48 weeks of tiagabine monotherapy. The mean daily dose of tiagabine monotherapy at the end of open-label treatment was 19.7 mg/day (range, 5–35 mg/day). Tiagabine monotherapy did not adversely affect cognitive function. No significant changes in mood were observed. The median number of seizures was 2 (range, 0–71), and 8 patients (44%) were seizure-free during the 48 weeks of open-label tiagabine treatment. The results of this small open-label extension study indicate that patients with chronic partial epilepsy who were successfully converted to long-term tiagabine monotherapy demonstrated no adverse effects on cognitive function or mood.