Clinical efficacy and long‐term effects of valproic acid therapy on spike‐and‐wave discharges

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Abstract
Twenty-two patients with absence seizures and other seizure types were treated with valproic acid and followed up for 1 year. Results were excellent with more than 75% improvement in 80% of patients with absence seizures, in 400% of those with tonic-clonic seizures, in all of those with myoclonic seizures, and in 43% of those with partial seizures. Fifty-seven percent of the patients had more than a 75% reduction in the total number of paroxysmal spike-wave discharges, and 6% had more than a 75% reduction in the number of spike-wave discharges lasting longer than 3 seconds. Photosensitivity and activation by hyperventilation decreased. More patients achieved good EEG control in 1 year than in 10 weeks.