Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39724322›Full record

SynthesisNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2025

Felbamate as a therapeutic alternative to drug-resistant genetic generalized epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yitao Ma, Matthew Kaminski, Robert Crutcher

Erratum issuedAbstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yitao MaDepartment of Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA. mayt21054@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-3289-9960
Matthew KaminskiUniversity of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
Robert CrutcherThe Division of Neurology at Nemours, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32207, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe effect of felbamate (FBM) on genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) remains largely unknown. The utilization of FBM has been limited due to its potential risk of aplastic anemia and hepatic failure. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of FBM in the treatment of drug-resistant GGE.

methodsWe searched the databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar, to identify cases of GGE treated with FBM. Data on outcomes and adverse events were extracted from these studies.

resultsThe literature search yielded 9 studies with 166 cases in which FBM was used as an adjunct therapy to treat drug-resistant GGE. The pooled responder rate to FBM was 65% (95% confidence interval CI, 51-80). 17% (95% CI, 3-31) achieved seizure freedom. 81% (95% CI, 60-100) of patients with Epilepsy with myoclonic atonic seizures were responders. Adverse events were reported in 40% (95% CI, 26-54) of patients.

conclusionsPatients with drug-resistant GGE achieved good responses to FBM. The high heterogeneity between studies calls for further research with large-scale, randomized controlled trials. Given the rare reports of idiosyncratic reactions of aplastic anemia and hepatic failure, intense laboratory monitoring and a slower titration schedule are recommended.

Indexed as

AnticonvulsantsDrug Resistant EpilepsyEpilepsy, GeneralizedFelbamateHumansAnticonvulsantsFelbamateDrug-resistant epilepsyFelbamateGenetic generalized epilepsyIdiopathic generalized epilepsy

Identifiers

PMID39724322
PMCPMC12064447

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.