Background Reproductive dysfunction and endocrine disorders are common among men with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Diminished sexual desire and responsiveness along with decreased libido and less orgasm are frequently described in men with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It appears that the reduced fertility in epileptic men is accompanied by erectile dysfunction and abnormal...

W e read with interest the report on corticobasal syndrome by Rajagopal et al (1). At times, this neurodegenerative disorder may lead to vertical gaze palsy. We evaluated a patient with valproate toxicity and hyperammonemia and reversible vertical gaze palsy. A 56-year-old man presented with progressive unsteadiness, drowsiness, and cognitive decline for the past 6 months. Twenty-five years pre...

A 36-years-old man on phenytoin, levetiracetam, and sodium valproate presented with acute confusion. Routine investigations including serum valproate and phenytoin concentration were normal. His serum ammonia concentration was raised. His valproate was held and 2 days later he recovered with concordant normalisation of serum ammonia concentration. Urea acid cycle disorder was ruled out, and a d...

I have developed a procedure to monitor, by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection, the concentration of vaiproic acid in serum. The valprolc acid Is derivatized into Its phenacyl ester. The assay Is very sensitive, measuring as little as 100 pg of valproic acid easily and accurately. Solvent extraction and concentration of the drug are not necessary; Instead, one only has to precip...

The biochemical mechanisms mediating the rapid distribution of valproic acid across placenta are not precisely known. We have characterized valproic acid transport by the human trophoblast using the human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo. The uptake of [14C]valproic acid by BeWo cells was found to be saturable and blocked by pre-exposure to the metabolic inhibitors, sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrop...

BACKGROUND The effects of chronic valproic acid administration on bone health have been a matter of concern and controversy. In this study, the bone status following valproate intake was assessed by using several bone-related biochemical markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this case-control study, 62 epileptic patients and 40 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled. The patients had been...

Aldehyde reductase from ox kidney cytosol has been fractionated into four forms, two of which have been purified to apparent homogeneity. One of the minor forms is shown to be heterogenous on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The substrate specificities of the four forms using a variety of aldehydes and ketones are presented. The sensitivity of the various forms to inhibition by sodium valpro...

INTRODUCTION Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but life-threatening reaction to drugs such as carbamazepine and allopurinol. The condition is characterized by skin rashes, fever, hematological disturbances, lymphadenopathy, and organ failure, most probably hepatic dysfunction. To date, only a few cases of valproate-induced DRESS syndrome have been ...

Two patients with eyelid myoclonia with absences (EMA) are described. Videotape of the eyelid myoclonia in one patient is presented. An interesting feature in one patient was the induction of clinical seizures only with daylight, and in another the presence of rare, focal, epileptiform discharges during drowsiness. Valproic acid only partially controlled eyelid myoclonia in both cases. Lamotrig...

OBJECTIVE To observe clinical and laboratory features of valproic acid-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy in patients taking valproic acid. METHODS Observational study was conducted at the Neurology Department, Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from February 26, 2010 to March 20, 2011. Ten patients on valproic acid therapy of any age group with idiopathic or seco...