Effect of antiepileptic drugs on short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials

Short-latency somato sensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in 45 freshly diagnosed cases of epilepsy before starting treatment. Follow-up recordings were made 6 weeks and 3 months after diphenylhydantoin, carbamazipine and phenobarbitone monotherapy were started. Serum drug levels were monitored. Both amplitude and latency of the initial component (N20) remained unchanged and were identical to a group of 30 age- and sex-matched normal individuals in whom SEPs were recorded during the period of study.