A double-blind, randomized trial of topiramate in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Topiramate YL Study Group.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topiramate as adjunctive therapy for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Conventional antiepileptic drugs are frequently ineffective against multiple-seizure types of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients >1 year to <30 years of age, with slow spike-and-wave patterns on EEG, seizure types including drop attacks, and either a history of or active atypical absence seizures, were assigned to an 11-week, double-blind treatment phase with either topiramate or placebo. Topiramate was titrated to target doses of approximately 6 mg/kg/d.

RESULTS

For drop attacks, the most severe seizures associated with this syndrome, the median percentage reduction from baseline in average monthly seizure rate was 14.8% for the topiramate group and -5.1% (an increase) for the placebo group (p = 0.041). Topiramate-treated patients demonstrated greater improvement in seizure severity than did placebo-treated patients based on parental global evaluations (p = 0.037). The percentage of patients with a > or = 50% reduction from baseline in major seizures (drop attacks and tonic-clonic seizures) was greater in the topiramate group (15/46 or 33%) than in the control group (4/50 or 8%; p = 0.002). The most common adverse events in both groups were CNS related; there were no discontinuations from topiramate therapy due to adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Topiramate adjunctive therapy was effective in reducing the number of drop attacks and major motor seizures and in improving seizure severity as determined by parental global evaluation.