A SINGLE-DOSE OF 500 MG D OF VALPROIC ACI D CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN JUVENILE-MYOCLONIC-EPILEPSY/

Eleven patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy were treated using sm all doses of a sustained-release form of valproic acid (500 mg/day). T his treatment has lasted for an average of 33 months (8-69) and has be en continued in all of the patients. None of them has experienced a ne w generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The myoclonias have become conside rably less frequent and less intense. No side-effects have been sponta neously reported by the group of patients. Thus, we suggest to start n ewly diagnosed patients on small doses of valproic acid.