Existing Drug May Prevent Seizures in Newborns

Two studies show that an existing drug called topiramate, used to control seizures in adults and children over the age of three, given to babies immediately after traumatic birth events may prevent them from having cerebral palsy or epilepsy.

One study published in the May 5, 2004, issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, showed that if topiramate was given immediately after a hypoxic-ischemic event, rats were protected from oligodendrocyte injury and showed fewer neuromotor abnormalities than untreated rats. A second study, published in the June 2004 issue of Epilepsia, found that topiramate may also be useful in preventing epilepsy in rats by blocking certain glutamate receptors. Although therapeutic doses of the drug do not appear to alter normal brain development in rats, the safety of topiramate in children under three has not been studied. Trials are needed to determine this.

"The finding that treatment with a drug prevents injury when given after the insult is tremendously significant,” said lead researcher Dr. Frances Jensen, of the Children's Hospital Boston (MA, USA). "Because premature infants are typically maintained in a continuously monitored, intensive care setting, it's feasible to commence treatment even within a few minutes after the insult.”




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