Cognitive dysfunction and antiepileptic drugs

Abstract Cognition is a complex mental function that involves attention, concentration, recognition, judgment, and memory and relates to emotion to some extent. Cognitive dysfunction in epilepsy probably results from various factors such as frequent seizures themselves, an underlying brain lesion, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, the contribution of these factors remains ambiguous in many cases. From the therapeutic perspective, simplifying the use of AEDs, avoiding polypharmacy, and avoiding overdosing are important in almost all cases. Most classical AEDs (PB, PHT, CBZ, and SV) have some untoward effect on cognition, particularly, PB. On the other hand, many new drugs (GBP, LTG, and LEV) do not have such effects but they do affect emotions. TPM seems to have some untoward effect on cognition and emotion.