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New research reveals that patients with epilepsy who were treated for extended periods with older generationantiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be at increased risk for developingatherosclerosis, a common disorder known as hardening of thearteries. According to the findings now available in Epilepsia, the journal of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE),the vascular risk is significantly associated with the duration ofAED monotherapy. While the majority of epilepsy patients have good results withtreatment, more than 30% of patients continue to have seizures evenwith AED therapy. In these cases of refractory epilepsy, long-termor lifelong AED therapy is needed. Prolonged treatment can lead to diabetes , thyroid issues, psychiatric problems and adverse drug reactions.Prior studies suggest that older-generation AEDs such as phenytoin,carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and valproic acid may alter metabolicpathways, contributing to increased vascular risks. Lead author, Dr. Yao-Chung Chuang from Kaohsiung Chang GungMemorial Hospital in Taiwan, and colleagues compared the long-termimpact of different categories of AED monotherapy onatherosclerosis development. The team recruited 160 adult patientswith epilepsy who had received AED monotherapy for more than 2years, along with 60 healthy controls. Ultrasonography was used tomeasure participants' common carotid artery (CCA) intima mediathickness (IMT) -- a measurement used to assess the extent ofatherosclerosis. "Our study found patients with epilepsy who were under long-termmonotherpy with phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproic aciddisplayed significantly increased CCA IMT measurements," said Dr.Chuang. "These altered circulatory markers from prolonged AEDtherapy may accelerate the atherosclerotic process." Analysisshowed that CCA IMT is positively correlated with the duration ofAED therapy. Researchers also investigated specific vascular risk factorsassociated with the type of AED therapy. Epilepsy patients takingcarbamazepine or phenytoin for long periods exhibited increasedlevels of cholesterol and of the amino acid, total homocysteine (tHcy), and lower levelsof folate, all of which increase risk of adverse cardiovascular andcerebrovascular events. Patients who were treated with valproicacid displayed elevated levels of uric acid, tHcy, andthiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), increasingatherosclerosis risk which the authors believe is based onoxidative mechanisms. The authors argue that drug choice should be carefully selected forepilepsy patients requiring long-term AED treatment, particularlyin elderly or individuals at high-risk of vascular events. Dr.Chuang concluded, "Our findings suggest that newer AEDs, such aslamotrigine, may minimize metabolic disturbances, and thereforereduce the risk of atherosclerosis brought on by long-term AEDtherapy." Additional References Citations. I am an expert from siliconerubberhose.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Silicone Air Intake Hose , China Ship Launching Airbags, Radiator Silicone Hose,and more.
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