Effects of differing dosages of vigabatrin (Sabril) on cognitive abilities and quality of life in epilepsy

Abstract

Vigabatrin (VGB) prevents seizures by irreversible inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase and a resulting increase in GABA levels. We evaluated the cognitive and quality-of-life (QOL) effects of VGB in a double-blinded, add-on, placebo-controlled, parallel group dose-response study of patients with focal epilepsy whose complex partial seizures (CPS) were difficult to control. In a single investigation, patients were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 40), 1 g VGB (n = 36), 3 g VGB (n = 38), or 6 g VGB (n = 32), treated for 12 weeks after a 6-week dose escalation period, and tested at the end of the baseline period and at the end of the treatment period with eight cognitive measures and three tests of mood and adjustment. The patient groups were highly similar at study entry. Results at the end of the study showed substantial relief from seizures. The Digit Cancellation Test showed decreases in performance with increasing doses of VGB. Performance on no other test showed any decrement with increasing dosage. Relief from seizures was not associated with changes on the psychological tests. VGB is a useful antiepileptic drug (AED) that has little impact on tests of either cognitive abilities or QOL, even at a high dose.