PLASMA AMINO-ACID ALTERATIONS IN IDIOPATHIC GENERALIZED EPILEPSY - ANINVESTIGATION IN PROBANDS AND THEIR 1ST-DEGREE RELATIVES

Twenty-two plasma aminoacids were determined by means of ion-exchange chromatography in 16 previously untreated patients with generalized id iopathic epilepsy and in some of their first-degre relatives (26 subje cts), and the results were compared with those obtained from ay group of 50 healthy controls. The patients were subsequently treated with va lproic acid for one month and then reexamined In the epileptic subject s, statistical analysis showed significant alterations in the plasma l evels of ay group of aminoacids, including the four associated with ne uro-transmission (aspartate, glutamate, glycine, taurine); aspartate, glutamate and glycine levels were also altered in the first-degree rel atives. Valproic acid therapy did not affect aminoacid levels. If furt her confirmed, these alterations might be considered possible neuroche mical markers of epilepsy.