The Influence of Levetiracetam in Cognitive Performance in Healthy Individuals: Neuropsychological, Behavioral and Electrophysiological Approach

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study sought to analyze the influence of Levetiracetam (LEV) in cognitive performance by identifying the changes produced by LEV in reaction time, in neuropsychological assessment of attention and memory and in absolute theta power in frontal activity.MethodsTwelve healthy subjects (5 men and 7 women; mean age, 30.08 years, standard deviation, 4.71) were recruited for this study. The neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test (A and B), Digit Span (direct and indirect numerical orders/working memory); Stroop test (inhibitory control of attention); Tower of London (planning and decision-making) and a quantitative electroencephalography were applied in 2 different days after and before the participants ingested the capsule of placebo or 500 mg LEV.ResultsA two-way-ANOVA was implemented to observe the interaction between conditions (placebo or LEV 500 mg) and moments (pre- and post-ingestion of LEV or placebo). The data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package (p<0.05). For the neuropsychological parameter, the Trail Making Test (A) was the only test that showed significant difference for condition in the task execution time (p=0.026). Regarding the reaction time in the behavioral parameter, an interaction between both factors (p=0.034) was identified through a two-way-ANOVA (condition versus moment). Electrophysiological measures showed a significant interaction for electrodes: F7, F3, and FZ.ConclusionThe findings showed that LEV promotes an important cognitive enhancement in the executive functions.

<p>Effects of Levetiracetam Compared to Valproate on Cognitive Functions of Patients with Epilepsy</p>

“…This is in agreement with previous studies that have reported improvement in cognitive functions in patients treated with LEV as monotherapy. 18,19 In the current study, it was found that there were highly significant improvements in attention and concentration measured by the WCST in the LEV group, in agreement with Noh et al, who found improvement in domains of cognition in patients treated with LEV as monotherapy. 20 Furthermore, that a highly significant improvements in processing speed, mental flexibility, and executive functioning on trail-making tests A and B in the LEV group compared to the VPA group were demonstrated, in agreement with previous studies 21,22 finding that both trail-making test A and reaction-time results showed significant differences with LEV treatment.…”

Polycystic ovarian syndrome in Nigerian women with epilepsy on carbamazepine/levetiracetam monotherapy

“…[6][7][8] The few available clinical studies on levetiracetam (LEV) have not shown significant side effect on the endocrine function, 9 but rather allude to the neuroprotective effect and excellent pharmacokinetic profile as significant factors in explaining the improved quality of life among those on LEV compared carbamazepine (CBZ). [9][10][11] There is however growing evidence from animal studies supporting possible role of LEV in reproductive toxicity with oxidative stress, hormonal alterations, presence of synaptic vesicle protein receptors in the synaptic vesicle of glycoprotein family on the gonads and endocrine cells apart from central nervous system as possible mechanism. [12][13][14] This study is aimed at comparing occurrence of PCOS among Nigerian WWE taking CBZ and LEV.…”

Cortical oscillations to measure anti-epileptic drug activity in clinical trials

“…Levetiracetam has been demonstrated to modulate cognitive functions and this effect has been related to theta oscillations 56 ; however, there are no published results on gamma oscillations.…”