Valproic acid-induced encephalopathy: A review of clinical features, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Junhong Wu, Jiyuan Li, Wei Jing, Xin Tian, Xuefeng Wang

Journal: Epilepsy & behavior : E&B 2021;120():107967

PMID: 34004407

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA), or sodium valproate, is a commonly used medication for seizure disorders, migraines, and mental illness. Although VPA is relatively safe, it still has several adverse effects; among these, VPA-induced encephalopathy is the most serious. Valproic acid-induced encephalopathy mainly manifests as acute or subacute encephalopathy and has been associated with hyperammonemia, L-carnitine deficiency, and urea cycle enzyme dysfunction. Delayed identification of VPA-induced encephalopathy could be potentially fatal. Here, we perform an extensive review of relevant literature pertaining to VPA-induced encephalopathy, including its epidemiology, clinical features, possible pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Address: Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China.; Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No.85 Jiefang South Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China; Department of Neurology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107967

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MeSH Terms: Anticonvulsants, Brain Diseases, Humans, Hyperammonemia, Risk Factors, Valproic Acid