Effect of levetiracetam on depression and anxiety in adult epileptic patients.
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.
Mazza
Marianna
M
Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Via Ugo De Carolis, 48 00136 Rome, Italy. mariannamazza@hotmail.com
Martini
Annalisa
A
Scoppetta
Marta
M
Mazza
Salvatore
S
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
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam