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Effects of levetiracetam on μ rhythm in persons with epilepsy
Chou-Ching K Lin1, Ming-Shaung Ju, Chih-Wei Chen
1Department of Neurology, Medical College and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Mu rhythm can be suppressed by movements, the so called event-related desynchronization (ERD). Levetiracetam (LEV) is a newer type of antiepileptic drug. A previous study reported that LEV might enhance mu rhythm and caused mu status in one subject. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LEV on EEG frequency contents and ERD. Seventeen patients with epileptic foci outside the Rolandic area were recruited. The following studies were performed before and after chronically taking LEV. An electroencephalogram (EEG) with 10 minutes of resting state and 5 minutes covering 10 right thumb movements were recorded. Reaction time was evaluated with a simple visual reaction time test. EEG data were analyzed by S-transformation and relative band powers were calculated. The results showed that the relative powers of theta, alpha and beta band in frontal (F3 and F4) and occipital (O1 and O2) leads and mu band in the centro-parietal (C3, C4, P3 and P4) leads were not changed by chronically taking LEV. No mu status was observed in any subject. However, the mean group ERD was enhanced at C3, Cz and P4 leads. Reaction time was similar before and after taking LEV. In conclusion, chronically taking LEV did not change the frequency contents of EEG and did not cause drowsiness, but enhanced ERD. The results suggest that chronically taking medication, such as LEV, is a plausible method to broaden the applicability of ERD-based brain-computer interfaces.
Insights
Levetiracetam (LEV) did not alter EEG frequency content but enhanced event-related desynchronization (ERD). This finding suggests LEV may improve brain-computer interfaces utilizing ERD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mu rhythm suppression during movement is known as event-related desynchronization (ERD).
- Levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug, was previously suggested to potentially enhance mu rhythm.
- This study investigates LEV's impact on EEG frequency content and ERD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effects of chronic Levetiracetam (LEV) administration on electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency content.
- To assess LEV's influence on event-related desynchronization (ERD) during motor tasks.
- To evaluate potential changes in reaction time after LEV treatment.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen epilepsy patients with non-Rolandic foci participated.
- EEG recordings (resting state and movement tasks) were taken before and after chronic LEV treatment.
- S-transformation and relative band power analysis were used for EEG data, alongside reaction time tests.
Main Results:
- Chronic LEV did not alter theta, alpha, beta, or mu band powers in specified EEG leads.
- No instances of mu status were observed in any participants.
- A significant enhancement in mean group ERD was noted at C3, Cz, and P4 leads.
- Reaction times remained consistent before and after LEV treatment.
Conclusions:
- Chronic Levetiracetam (LEV) administration does not alter EEG frequency content or cause drowsiness.
- LEV was found to enhance event-related desynchronization (ERD).
- The findings suggest LEV could expand the use of ERD-based brain-computer interfaces.
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