Absence of negative impact of levetiracetam on cognitive function and memory in normal and amygdala-kindled rats

The effect of the new antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam (LEV, Keppra) on cognitive function was studied in normal and amygdala-kindled rats by using the Morris water maze test. In addition, we investigated the effect of LEV on long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices. Sodium valproate (VPA) was used as comparator in all studies. Clonazepam (CZP) and carbamazepine (CBZ) were used in normal rats. The results indicated that doses of LEV known to suppress motor seizures did not alter cognitive performance. In contrast, similar doses of the classic AEDs all decreased learning performance of the rats. Likewise, VPA did alter LTP but LEV was inactive. Amygdala-kindled rats were more sensitive than normal rats to the effects of VPA. These results suggest that LEV may be devoid of negative impact on cognition in epileptic patients.