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Related Experiment Video

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Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

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Published on: June 12, 2018

Levetiracetam-induced reversible autistic regression.

Ana Camacho¹, José Carlos Espín, Noemí Nuñez

¹Section of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. acamachosalas@yahoo.es

Pediatric Neurology

|June 19, 2012

Summary

Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug, can cause behavioral issues, particularly in children. A case study shows autistic regression reversed upon discontinuing levetiracetam, highlighting potential adverse effects.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Pediatrics
Pharmacology

Background:

Levetiracetam is a widely used antiepileptic medication.
While generally well-tolerated, it can precipitate behavioral disturbances, especially in pediatric populations and those with prior psychiatric conditions.

Observation:

A 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, cognitive deficiency, and focal epilepsy, previously diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, experienced severe social and communicative skill deterioration.
Following the initiation of levetiracetam, she developed stereotypies and mood lability.

Findings:

The patient exhibited autistic regression after starting levetiracetam.
Discontinuation of the drug led to a complete resolution of these adverse behavioral effects.

Implications:

Levetiracetam may induce significant behavioral adverse effects, including autistic regression, in susceptible individuals.
This case underscores the importance of monitoring for unusual behavioral changes in patients, particularly children, treated with levetiracetam.