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Levetiracetam efficacy in epileptic syndromes with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep: experience in 12

Alec Aeby1, Nathalie Poznanski, Denis Verheulpen

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium. alec.aeby@ulb.ac.be

Epilepsia
|January 6, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam showed positive effects on EEG, behavior, and cognition in children with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Further research is needed to confirm its role in treating this epilepsy syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Clinical Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) is an epilepsy syndrome associated with significant behavioral and cognitive deterioration in children.
  • Identifying effective add-on treatments for CSWS is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the add-on efficacy of levetiracetam in children diagnosed with CSWS.
  • To assess levetiracetam's impact on electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, behavior, and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of children with CSWS treated with levetiracetam (50 mg/kg/day).
  • Analysis of EEG recordings and neuropsychological/behavioral assessments at baseline and 2 months post-treatment.
  • Long-term follow-up at 1 year for patients showing initial improvement.

Main Results:

  • Of 12 patients, 7 (58.3%) demonstrated EEG improvement; 3 of these showed neuropsychological gains, and 4 showed behavioral improvement.
  • Two patients improved neuropsychologically despite no EEG changes.
  • 8 patients (66.6%) continued levetiracetam beyond 2 months, with 4 remaining on it at 1 year due to sustained benefits.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam appears to offer benefits for EEG, behavior, and cognition in pediatric patients with CSWS.
  • Further prospective studies are required to establish levetiracetam's definitive role in managing CSWS.
Abstract

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