Photosensitive epilepsy: a model to study the effects of antiepileptic drugs. Evaluation of the piracetam analogue, levetiracetam.
The experimental antiepileptic drug, levetiracetam (UCB L059), a piracetam analogue has been investigated in photosensitive patients in the "photosensitivity model", an early phase II study. A total of 12 patients (10 females, 2 males) with a mean age of 21.5 years (range 13-38) were investigated during a 3 day period in 3 centres (France, The Netherlands, Germany), using the same standardised method. The subjects were either treated with a single oral dose of 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg or 1,000 mg. In addition, 4 patients took 250 mg b.i.d. for 3-5 days, after which they were re-examined. In 9 of 12 photosensitive patients (75%) a clear suppression (3 patients) or abolishment (6 patients) of IPS evoked photoparoxysmal EEG responses was found. This effect appeared to be dose-dependent, the higher the dose the greater the effect; complete abolishment was only seen at dosages of 750 mg and 1,000 mg, occurring at peak plasma levels and lasting between 6 and 30 h. There was no indication of pharmacokinetic interaction with concomitant antiepileptic drugs such as valproic acid, ethosuximide or phenobarbitone. No serious side-effects were seen and some patients reported enhancement of their mood. Two patients with myoclonic jerks noticed a clear reduction of their myoclonus, although this was not one of the objectives of the study. In conclusion, levetiracetam showed a clear antiepileptic effect in the photosensitivity model.
Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
D G
DG
Instituut voor Epilepsiebestrijding, Heemstede, The Netherlands.
Marescaux
C
C
Stodieck
S
S
Edelbroek
P M
PM
Oosting
J
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam