Effects of gamma-globulin therapy in severely epileptic children

Abstract

The effects of gamma-globulin therapy have been studied from clinical, immunological, and electrographic perspectives in 10 children affected by severe organic epilepsy. After the first or the second injection of large doses of IgG, an appreciable reduction in seizure frequency and an improvement in behavioral and psychological performance were observed in seven children. These clinical modifications were not correlated with an important decrease of the EEG epileptic elements, but in most cases they were associated to an increase in alpha activity and/or in power of the predominant EEG frequency. These changes were observed during the entire treatment period and tended to disappear when therapy was interrupted. No significant changes in both immunological data and plasma levels of antiepileptic drugs accompanied the clinical and EEG changes.