Brief CommunicationEffects of adjunctive lacosamide on mood and quality of life in patients with epilepsy

•We examined the effects of adjunctive lacosamide on mood and quality of life (QOL).•The lacosamide group had a significant decrease in negative mood states.•No effect of lacosamide on quality of life was noted.•Electronically measured adherence (MEMS cap) was 70.7%.

We examined the effects of adjunctive lacosamide (LCM) on mood and quality of life (QOL) in adult patients with partial-onset seizures in a prospective, controlled, single-blind study. Patients in whom LCM was added to their AED regimen for clinical indications comprised the LCM group (n = 18), while the control group (n = 32) comprised patients on ≥ 2 AEDs with anticipated stable dosing for the duration of the study. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and QOLIE-89 were used to assess mood and QOL at enrollment and 12-16 weeks later. Adherence to LCM was measured electronically with the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and using a self-report measure. There were no significant between-group differences in age, AED load, side-effects (A-B Neurotoxicity Scale), MoCA mental status, or seizure-related factors. LCM adherence (measured by MEMS) was 70.7%. There was a significant decrease in negative mood states in the LCM group (estimated marginal mean at baseline = 49.4, at follow-up = 29.7; p = 0.02), after controlling for seizure freedom. Based on previously reported benchmarks, clinically significant change on the POMS occurred in 7 (38%) LCM patients. The effect of LCM on the overall QOL was not significant (p = 0.078). Correlation between POMS Total Mood Distress and Emotional-Wellbeing on the QOLIE-89 was significant (r = − 0.783; p = 0.01). These results suggest that LCM may have a favorable impact on mood.