Effects of Eslicarbazepine Acetate (Esl, Bia 2-093) on Cognitive Function in Children With Partial Onset Seizures

This will be a 2-part multicentre study in approximately 117 patients. Part I of the study will consist of a 4-week prospective observational baseline period, a 12-week double-blind period (4-week up-titration and 8-week maintenance), and a tapering-off period. After the screening visit (V1), patients will enter the baseline period. At the end of the baseline period (V2), eligible patients will be randomised in a ratio of 2:1 to receive double-blind treatment with Eslicarbazepine acetate or Placebo in addition to concomitant therapy with 1 or 2 Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Concomitant AED therapy will be kept stable during the whole study. Initial dose of the study treatment will be 10 mg/kg/day. After 2-weeks on 10 mg/kg/day, the dose will be up-titrated to 20 mg/kg/day (maximum 1200 mg/day). After 2 weeks on 20 mg/kg/day, dose will be up-titrated to 30 mg/kg/day (maximum 1200 mg/day) and patients will receive this dose for 8 weeks. If intolerable adverse events (AEs) occur, the patient can be down-titrated to the previous dose (only 1 down-titration step will be allowed) or discontinued. After the 8-week maintenance period, the study treatment will be tapered off in 10 mg/kg/day 2 week steps. However, if a patient experiences an increase in seizure frequency (e.g. more than 100% increase vs. baseline) during tapering-off, the patient can proceed directly to the open-label part of the study (Part II). After completion of the last 2-week 10 mg/kg/day step, patients will have the option to enter a 1 year open-label treatment (Part II) with Eslicarbazepine acetate (up to 30 mg/kg/day, maximum 1200 mg/day), or will have a 4 week observational follow-up period.