The effect of anticonvulsants on cognitive functioning following a probable encephalitic illness

Br J Psychiatry. 1992 Apr:160:546-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.160.4.546.

Abstract

A 54-year-old man developed an acute encephalitic illness and subsequently suffered from marked memory difficulties. Considerable improvement with anticonvulsant therapy was demonstrated using a ward-based observation programme and serial neuropsychological assessments. The case report highlights the prominent role played by epileptic activity in determining the severity of the patient's amnesia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects*
  • Encephalitis / complications*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / psychology
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Phenytoin / administration & dosage*
  • Sulpiride / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Carbamazepine
  • Phenytoin
  • Sulpiride