EFFECTS OF CARBAMAZEPINE AND VALPROATE ON BRAIN-STEM AUDITORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded in 18 epile ptic children receiving carbamazepine and 10 epileptic children receiv ing valproate. BAEPs were recorded before the administration of antiep ileptic drugs (AEDs) and 13 months later during which the children rec eived AEDs. Statistical analysis of peak latencies and interpeak inter vals of waves I-III-V were made. Carbamazepine treatment resulted in p rolongation of peak latencies of waves I-III-V and interpeak intervals I-III and I-V. Valproate monotherapy, on the other hand, caused no co nsistent changes on BAEP. On the basis of these results we suggest tha t chronic carbamazepine therapy exerts a suppressive influence on the auditory pathways, both peripherally at the level of the cochlea and/o r auditory nerve, and centrally at the brainstem.