A Review on the Cognitive Impairment caused by Anti-epileptics and their Management

Abstract

Epilepsy is a multifaceted disorder defined by unprovoked seizures that affects people of all ages. It is divided as per the type of seizures as epilepsy and epilepsy syndrome. There are four main types of epilepsy: focal, generalized, and combined generalized and focal, and unknown. The pathophysiology of epilepsy consists of two major factors and they are hyper-excitability and hyper-synchrony. The drugs involved in the treatment of Grand mal and partial seizures act by blocking the activity of neurotrophic factors, N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, voltage gated channel blockage of sodium and potassium. Commonly seen side effects or negative effects of Anti-epileptic Drugs (AED) are decrease in reaction speed, information processing speed, and concentration. The newer antiepileptic drugs show lesser cognitive side effects when compare to older drugs. Cognitive impairment caused by AEDs in children is more when compared to its effect in adult. The management of cognitive impairment due to AEDs includes constant monitoring of cognition with reference to the changes observed in an individual as a result of AEDs. Nootropics, also known as "smart drugs," are compounds that have been in development over three decades and are likely the first to be used to treat cognitive deficits. It is a diverse group of compounds with varying chemical compositions and biological functions that are intended to improve learning and memory or to compensate for natural or induced cognitive impairments. This review covers the cognitive impairment associated with the intake of AEDs.