Abstract
Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new antiepileptic drug showing efficacy against myoclonus. We present data from an open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy of LEV in patients with cortical myoclonus of various aetiology and attempted to determine if LEV may modify electrophysiological findings in these patients. Sixteen patients were recruited. The Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale (UMRS) was used to assess myoclonus severity. Electrophysiological study included EEG-jerk-locked averaging, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and C-reflex. LEV was administered up to the dose of 50 mg/Kg/die. Patients were clinically and electrophysiologically re-evaluated two weeks after the end of titration phase. Fourteen patients completed the trial. LEV improved myoclonus in all cases and only two patients withdrew. Follow-up SEP study showed reduction > 50% of giant components in 3/9 patients, and a statistically significant reduction of N20-P25 amplitude mean value.
| Translated title of the contribution | Levetiracetam (Keppra) in patients with chronic cortical myoclonus: A clinical and electrophysiological study |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 93-95 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Bollettino - Lega Italiana contro l'Epilessia |
| Issue number | 125-126 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology