Seizure

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) superficially resemble epileptic seizures, but are not associated with epileptiform activity. Instead, most PNES can be understood as paroxysmal responses to distressing stimuli [1,2]. Along with syncope and epilepsy, PNES are the most common diagnoses in patients presenting to doctors with transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) [3].

Sodium valproate (VPA) and lamotrigine (LTG) are the broad-spectrum anticonvulsants drugs used in both generalized and partial seizures. Weight gain is a well-known adverse effect of VPA treatment occurring in up to 71% of exposed patients, although typically the rate is around 10%1. Weight gain is the most common reason for patients to discontinue VPA treatment2–4. In a study, 38% of VPA-treated patients gained more than 10% of their body weight compared with 8% of patients treated with LTG5. Further, ...