Abstract
After reports of reversible parkinsonism and cognitive impairment with sodium valproate (VPA), the authors examined 50 consecutive patients taking VPA and 20 patients taking carbamazepine. Three patients taking VPA exhibited unequivocal parkinsonism with Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale scores >30. VPA was withdrawn from two patients with improvement of symptoms. Reduction in VPA dosage in the third patient produced no improvement. beta-CIT-SPECT scans were normal, suggesting dopaminergic neuronal loss is not the underlying mechanism.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
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Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
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Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
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Epilepsy / drug therapy*
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Female
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Humans
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Incidence
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced*
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / diagnostic imaging*
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / epidemiology
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Prevalence
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Recovery of Function
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Sample Size
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Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
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United Kingdom / epidemiology
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Valproic Acid / adverse effects*
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Valproic Acid / therapeutic use
Substances
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Anticonvulsants
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Carbamazepine
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Valproic Acid