Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Antiepileptic Drugs

Comparison of Different Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapies for the Occurrence of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Among Women With Epilepsy

This study is being done to determine if there are differences in mood during the menstrual cycle among women with epilepsy who take various different antiepileptic drugs and women without epilepsy.

Participants will be given informed consent during the initial study visit. We will gather information about their seizure disorder and medications and provide them with instructions and a form that they will complete daily for two months (two menstrual cycles). During the third week of each menstrual cycle, they will be asked to return once to provide a blood sample.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with epilepsy, 18-45 years of age. Women will be on one of 4 established (≥ 3 months) AED monotherapies: LTG, CBZ, PHT or LEV and with documented therapeutic range serum AED level during the year prior to enrollment.
• Normal Control women, 18-45 years of age, in good general health by history

Exclusion Criteria:

• Concomitant use of prescribed or OTC reproductive hormones
• Concomitant use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications such as SSRIs, bupropion, tricyclics, benzodiazepines