Epilepsy drugs may cause schizophrenia

[The Straight Story]

Epilepsy drugs may cause schizophrenia

CHICAGO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say anti-epileptic drug treatments administered when the brain is developing appear to trigger schizophrenia-like behavior in animal models.

Georgetown University Medical Center researchers noted that in humans, having a history of seizures in infancy is a significant risk factor for development of schizophrenia later in life, but it is not known whether the elevated risk is due to seizures themselves, or from side effects of anti-epileptic drug treatment.

"We know that early-life exposure to (anti-epileptic drug treatments) such as Phenobarbital triggers cell death in many brain regions associated with the onset of schizophrenia," said doctoral student Guillermo Palchik. "This study not only suggests a relationship between the drugs and schizophrenia, but it raises important questions regarding the side effects of a widely-used class of drugs."

He noted Phenobarbital and similar medications are used not only as a treatment for seizures, but more generally in the treatment of migraines, neuropathic pain and mood disorders, among other ailments.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/10/22/Epilepsy-drugs-may-cause-schizophrenia/UPI-84601256237520/

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. As someone on Tegretol, this is a bit concerning. Not sure if it is of the same class ,though, as

Phenobarbital. And I didn't start using it until 3 years ago.

Going to make it much harder to decide what to do with my son if he does turn out to also have bipolar. Avoid meds over potential hell later on in favor of guaranteed hell in the here and now or what?

[The Straight Story]

2. Certainly something you should ask your dr about

and I hope for you it works out well!

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Thanks! I will definitely do that.

[depakid]

4. carbamazepine (tegretol) is a completely different class of drugs

This report is about barbiturates.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Thanks for the info. You would think I would know more about my own meds. :^) Still, it's

good to have read this in case one or the other of my kids turns up bipolar too.