The effect of valproate on silent period and corticomotor excitability.

Objective: To investigate, by transcranial magnetic stimulation, the effects of valproate on silent period and corticomotor excitability.

Methods: thirty patients with generalized epilepsy were studied at baseline, and re-examined 4 (S1) and 25 (S2) weeks after the administration of valproate (mean dose: 1040 +/- 284 mg). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed with a figure of eight coil (recording, first dorsal interosseous).