Abstract Aims of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of testosterone deficiency on cognitive functions in metastatic prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: In this multicentric prospective study, 65 metastatic prostate cancer patients were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised, and the Trail Making Test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were recorded before the androgen deprivation therapy and at the 3- and 6-month follow ups. Results: At the basal cognitive assessment, the mean Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised scores were 25.84 ± 17.54, 32.68 ± 10.60, and 17.63 ± 11.23, respectively, and the mean time for the Trail Making Test was 221.56 ± 92.44 s., and were similar at the 3-month, and 6-month controls (p > 0.05). The mean pretreatment, third and sixth month testosterone levels were 381.40 ± 157.53 ng/dL, 21.61 ± 9.09 ng/dL, and 12.25 ± 6.45 ng/dL (p < 0.05), and the total PSA levels were 46.46 ± 37.83 ng/mL, 1.41 ± 3.31 ng/mL, and 0.08 ± 0.14 ng/mL (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The ADT in patients with metastatic prostate cancer does not affect patients’ cognitive functions and depressive symptoms. However, further prospective randomized studies with higher cohorts and longer follow up periods are needed.

Aim of study: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. Long-term antiepileptic drug use is associated with several metabolic and hormonal disorders. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of antiepileptic drugs on thyroid functions and complete blood counts. Methods: Epileptic adult patients followed up regularly were enrolled in the study. Laboratory parameters including serum thyroid hormone levels and complete blood counts were evaluated retrospectively. The effects of antiepileptic drugs on these parameters of the cases were investigated by comparing the laboratory recordings of the cases in the defined three periods [prior to antiepileptic drug treatment, in between 6 months to 1 year treatment (early stage) and after 1 year treatment (late stage)]. Results: A three hundred epileptic patients (F/M: 175/125) were included in the study. A statistically significant difference in TSH levels and sT4 levels in late stage compared to pre-treatment (p=0.006, p=0.0005, respectively). A statistically significant decrease was recorded in late stage mean leukocyte levels in comparison with pre-treatment levels (p=0.025). When pre-treatment and late stage mean thrombocyte levels were compared, a statistically significant decrease was observed in late phase (p=0.001). Conclusions: According to our study results, widely used antiepileptic drugs in the world have some effects on both thyroid functions and complete blood counts. It is important to emphasize epilepsy treating centers should monitor not only clinical features of the patients but also laboratory results periodically. Key words: epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs, thyroid functions, complete blood counts.