Intravenous immunoglobulin: a single-blind trial in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Abstract

The antiepileptic effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (Sandoglobulin, Sandoz) was investigated in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome by an add-on, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial. Ten patients, aged 4-14 years, with insufficient response to conventional anticonvulsive therapy received placebo and Sandoglobulin 400 mg/kg two times each with an interval of two weeks. The washout period was four weeks and the total observation period 14 weeks, during which parents daily registered number and type of seizures. EEG, in vitro lymphocyte transformation tests and concentrations of immunoglobulins including IgG subclasses were evaluated before and after active treatment. Two children showed an immediate reduction in their high-frequency and invariable seizure activity from 42% to 100% and a less abnormal EEG. In addition, general well-being and intellectual performance was improved. The strongest response was observed in one child with a concomitant finding of a low level of IgG2, the only abnormal immunologic test in this study. The remaining 8 children, who had either a high or a low but variable seizure frequency showed no immediate change as EEG and their general condition was unaffected. We conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin had an immediate and pronounced effect on break-through seizure activity and a simultaneous neurophysiologic effect in 20% of our patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The effect was not confined to patients with immunologic abnormalities.