Abstracts

Rationale: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of zonisamide (ZNS) on cognitive functions by means of a standardized neuropsychological test battery.Methods: We included drug naïve generalized or partial epilepsy patients. We used modified Seoul neuropsychological battery (SNSB) to evaluate the cognitive function. Pre- and post-ZNS scores of cognitive domains were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: Fifteen subjects (M: F= 9:6; mean, 31.8 years) underwent the tests twice before and after ZNS administration. Five patients have idiopathic generalized epilepsy and 10 have partial epilepsy (left hemisphere onset, 7 and left onset, 3). The mean ZNS dosage was 206.7 mg/d (range, 175-275) and follow-up test was performed with the same protocol (mean 6.9±3.0 months). During ZNS treatment serious adverse events were not reported. ZNS showed significantly negative effects on the digit span forward and Corsi block backward Tests (p<0.05). Moreover, there was significant negative correlation between the scores of digit span forward and backward score and dosage per body weight (kg) (Spearman correlation, P < 0.05). However, ZNS improved the perseverative error in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (p<0.05).Conclusions: This study suggests that ZNS monotherapy might decrease verbal and visual attention and working memory in drug-naïve patients with generalized or partial epilepsy. Furthermore, higher dosage of ZNS resulted in more decrease in working memory and attention.