- One large study showed that cerebrovascular diseases represented the most common etiology of secondary epilepsy.
- Animal studies have shown most antiepileptic drugs to be neuroprotectants.
- Animal studies have also shown, however, that phenytoin, benzodiazepines, and phenobarbital may impair post-stroke motor recovery.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol) has not been found to demonstrate any significant hinderance of post-stroke recovery.
- From an anicdotal clinical perspective, levetiracetam (Keppra) is often used to treat post-stroke seizure.
References
- Camilo, et al. Seizures and Epilepsy After Ischemic Stroke. Stroke. 2004; 35: 1769-75.
- Hauser WA, et al. Incidence of epilepsy and unprovoked seizures in Rochester, Minnesota; 1935-1984. Epilepsia. 1993; 34: 453-68.
