title: Treatment with levetiracetam in a patient with pervasive developmental disorders, severe intellectual disability, self-injurious behavior, and seizures: a case report.
abstract: Pervasive developmental disorder is characterized by various symptoms that often include self-injurious behavior (SIB). Episodes of SIB occur in the context of high emotional arousal, anger, or fear and may be related to epilepsy. We report the case of a 20-year-old man with pervasive developmental disorder presenting with SIB non-responsive to antipsychotic medication. Positron emission tomography showed a right temporoparietal hypometabolic focal lesion suggestive of an epileptic focus. Two weeks after initiation of levetiracetam (Keppra®), SIB disappeared, without recurrence 24 months later. Levetiracetam (Keppra®) may be beneficial for such patients.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Development Psychiatric Unit, Service of Adult Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Deriaz
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Willi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Orihuela-Flores
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Galli Carminati
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ratib
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam