Levetiracetam for treatment-refractory posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of levetiracetam, a novel anticonvulsant agent, in the treatment of refractory posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


METHODS
Retrospective analysis was conducted of 23 patients with DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD who, after being deemed partial or nonresponders to antidepressant therapy, received levetiracetam in a naturalistic fashion. The primary outcome measure was the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Secondary outcome measures included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S), and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I).


RESULTS
Levetiracetam at a mean+/-SD dose of 1967+/-650 mg/day for 9.7+/-3.7 weeks was generally well tolerated. Nineteen patients (83%) were taking at least 1 concomitant medication. Patients were severely ill with a mean baseline PCL-C score of 67.2+/-9.4, CGI-S score of 6.0+/-0.7, and HAM-A score of 26.8+/-4.9. Patients improved significantly on all measures (p<.001). Thirteen patients (56%) met responder criteria at endpoint (PCL-C mean change=23.5, CGI-I score<or=2), and 6 (26%) met remission criteria (CGI-S score<or=2). Adverse events were generally mild, and no patients discontinued levetiracetam because of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that levetiracetam may be an effective treatment in combination with antidepressant therapy for patients with PTSD who remain symptomatic after initial intervention.
Anxiety Disorders Research Program, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA 02139, and the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. gkinrys@challiance.org
Gustavo
G
Kinrys
Lisa E
LE
Wygant
Tamara B
TB
Pardo
Maria
M
Melo
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam