AMINOACIDI PLASMATICI IN PAZIENTI CON EPILESSIA GENERALIZZATA PRIMARIA E LORO PARENTI DI PRIMO GRADO: STUDIO SULL'INFLUENZA DELL' ACIDO VALPROICO

Plasma aminoacids were evaluated by ion-exchange chromatography in 15 previously untreated subjects affected with primary generalized epilepsy and in some of their first grade relatives. Results were comparated to a group of 50 healthy controls. Epileptic patients were then put on valproic acid (VPA) therapy for one month, and then newly examined as before treatment. Statistical analysis of the aminoacid levels showed significant variations for the four ones relevant for inibitory (taurine and glycine) and excitatory neurotransmission (aspartate and glutamate), both in epileptics and in their first grade relatives (23 subjects). VPA medication did not influence the aminoacid pool. It is tempted to speculate that such an analysis may be used as a metabolic screening of the disease.