title: Effect of levetiracetam on depression and anxiety in adult epileptic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interictal depression is common in patients with epilepsy and it significantly impacts quality of life. Some studies indicate that levetiracetam (LEV) may have mood stabilizing properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five adults with uncontrolled partial seizures and concomitant depressive symptoms were treated with LEV. Patients were evaluated for depression and anxiety with several psychometric measures, including: Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Zung Self-rating Scale for Depression (Z-SDS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Zung Self-rating Scale for Anxiety (Z-SAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluations after 5 weeks and after 3 months of LEV treatment demonstrated significant improvement in depression and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This uncontrolled study suggests that treatment with LEV may also improve depression and anxiety in patients with partial seizures. However, the sample of patients is limited and the possibility of a placebo effect cannot be excluded. These findings must be considered preliminary and should be replicated under placebo-controlled conditions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Via Ugo De Carolis, 48 00136 Rome, Italy. mariannamazza@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scoppetta
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam