A comparative study of the effects of carbamazepine and the NMDA receptor antagonist remacemide on road tracking and car-following performance in actual traffic

摘要: Rationale: Antiepileptic drugs are known to produce side effects which may impair driving performance. Performance effects, however, differ substantially between individual antiepileptic drugs. Objective: To compare the of carbamazepine, remacemide, and placebo on actual performance during a 12-day incremental dosing regimen. Methods: Twenty-two healthy volunteers participated in three-way, double-blind, cross-over study. Treatment were assessed two tests carried out days 8, 10, 12 each treatment period. The Road Tracking Test involved an instrumented vehicle at constant speed steady lateral position delineated lane boundaries. Standard deviation (SDLP) was measured indicate precision road tracking control. Car-Following same behind leading car maintaining that distance while latter executed series deceleration/acceleration maneuvers. Time adaptation (TSA) brake reaction time primary measures. Results: Remacemide did not affect subjects' Carbamazepine increased SDLP throughout lengthened TSA day 8. Changes relative comparable those previously seen drivers conducting test with blood alcohol concentrations 0.05 g/dl. Conclusion: Remacemide, given dose regimen, does Carbamazepine, can mild but sufficient impairment put epileptic patients risk when driving, least initiation therapy.