Drug load and memory during intracarotid amobarbital procedure in epilepsy

Background Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) have been related to poor cognitive function, but their relationship with intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) results remains unclear. Aims of the study To elucidate whether the number and drug load of ASMs are associated with memory scores of the IAP and the neuropsychological assessment. Methods Fifty-nine adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (mean age = 36.1, SD = 11.6) underwent bilateral IAP (with drawings and words as memory items) and a neuropsychological assessment to assess the risk of post-surgical memory decline. Total ASM drug load was calculated by summing the daily dose/defined daily dose ratio of every ASM of each patient…