title: Clinical and neuropsychological considerations in a case of unrecognized myoclonic epileptic jerks dramatically controlled by levetiracetam.
abstract: The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification recognizes 2 forms of myoclonic epilepsy with a good prognosis: benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (BMEI) and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME); recent studies confirm the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) in treating idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) in patients with myoclonic seizures. We report a girl referred to our Child Neuropsychiatry Unit at age 9 years because of massive myoclonic jerks, previously diagnosed as tics. Neuropsychological examination evidenced mild cognitive impairment. The clinical and electroencephalogram (EEG) data led to diagnosis of BMEI with late presentation. A dramatic suppression of interictal and ictal epileptiform activity was achieved after only one intake of LEV. Another neuropsychological examination after 6 months of treatment showed performance improvement probably related to EEG modifications. LEV may be suitable for the first-line treatment of myoclonic idiopathic seizures.
authors: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Paediatric Department, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Gentile
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Brunetto
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Leo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Bonetti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Verrotti
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Franzoni
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam