Effects of levetiracetam on EEG abnormalities in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
A multicenter, prospective, long-term, open-label study to evaluate the effects of levetiracetam on electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and photoparoxysmal response (PPR) of patients affected by juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with newly diagnosed JME (10) or resistant/intolerant (38) to previous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were enrolled. After an 8-week baseline period, levetiracetam was titrated in 2 weeks to 500 mg b.i.d. and then increased to up to 3,000 mg/day. Efficacy parameters were based on the comparison and analysis of EEG interictal abnormalities classified as spikes-and-waves, polyspikes-and-waves, and presence of PPR. Secondary end point was evaluation of EEG and PPR changes as predictive factors of 12-month seizure freedom.


RESULTS
Overall, mean dose of levetiracetam was 2,208 mg/day. Mean study period was 19.3 +/- 11.5 months (range 0.3-38). During the baseline period, interictal EEG abnormalities were detected in 44/48 patients (91.6%) and PPR was determined in 17/48 (35.4%) of patients. After levetiracetam treatment, 27/48 (56.2%) of patients compared to 4/48 (8.3%) in the baseline period (p < 0.0001) had a normal EEG. Thirteen of 17 (76.4%) (p < 0.0003) patients showed suppression of PPR. Cumulative probability of days with myoclonia (DWM) 12-month remission was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in patients with a normal (normalized) EEG after levetiracetam treatment compared to those with an unchanged EEG.


CONCLUSIONS
Levetiracetam appeared to be effective in decreasing epileptiform EEG abnormalities, and suppressing the PPR in JME patients. This effect, along with a good efficacy and tolerability profile in this population further supports a first-line role for levetiracetam in the treatment of JME.
Specchio
Nicola
N
Division of Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Roma, Italy. nicolaspecchio@libero.it
Boero
Giovanni
G
Michelucci
Roberto
R
Gambardella
Antonio
A
Giallonardo
Anna Teresa
AT
Fattouch
Jinane
J
Di Bonaventura
Carlo
C
de Palo
Alessia
A
Ladogana
Marianna
M
Lamberti
Paolo
P
Vigevano
Federico
F
La Neve
Angela
A
Specchio
Luigi Maria
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam