The Effect of Anti-epileptic Drugs on Mitochondrial Activity

Antiepileptic drugs adverse reactions, including hepatotoxicity, are rare but potentially fatal, especially among children. Although the mechanism of the liver toxicity remains elusive, mitochondrial oxidative stress, has been hypothesized to play a role.

Most of the studies addressing antiepileptic drug effects on the mitochondria discuss the effect of valproic acid. The exact mechanisms involved in the drug-induced effects on oxidative phosphorylation are still far from being resolved. Most of the studies investigated the effect of valproic acid by using animal models or different in vitro methods.Mitochondrial diseases should be considered as a risk factor for valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, and there is a consensus for avoiding the administration of the drug for these patientsIs it possible that other antiepileptic drugs have similar effects? The knowledge regarding the effects of other antiepileptic drugs on the mitochondria is relatively scarce.

Inclusion criteria

• Children between the ages of 3 and 18 years old, who suffer from new onset epilepsy as diagnosed by a certified pediatric neurologist, who do not suffer from a ''metabolic'' disorder, are treated by a single antiepileptic drug, and are not receiving any other type of medication on a chronic basis were included

Exclusion criteria

• Children younger than 3 years of age or older than 18 years of age, children who were suspected or known to suffer from a ''metabolic'' disorder or liver dysfunction, children who were under treatment, by any medication on a chronic basis, at the time of the study were excluded.