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Levetiracetam mitigates doxorubicin-induced DNA and synaptic damage in neurons

Jose Felix Moruno Manchon1, Yuri Dabaghian2,3, Ndidi-Ese Uzor1,4

  • 1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas, Houston Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.

Scientific Reports
|May 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam may protect against chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. This anti-epileptic drug enhanced neuronal survival and reduced DNA damage caused by doxorubicin, potentially aiding cancer survivors experiencing cognitive issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, can cause neurotoxicity in cancer patients.
  • This neurotoxicity may lead to significant cognitive deficits affecting memory, attention, and processing speed.
  • Current treatments for chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neuroprotective effects of levetiracetam against doxorubicin-induced neurotoxicity in primary neurons.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying doxorubicin's neurotoxic effects and levetiracetam's protective actions.

Main Methods:

  • Primary neurons were cultured and exposed to doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy agent.
  • Neurons were pretreated with levetiracetam, an FDA-approved anti-epileptic drug.
  • Neuronal survival, DNA double-strand breaks, and synaptic/neurite density were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Doxorubicin significantly decreased neuronal survival and promoted DNA double-strand breaks.
  • Doxorubicin treatment reduced synaptic and neurite density.
  • Levetiracetam pretreatment enhanced neuronal survival, reduced DNA damage, and mitigated synaptic/neurite loss.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam demonstrates neuroprotective properties against doxorubicin-induced neurotoxicity.
  • The findings suggest levetiracetam may help mitigate synaptic damage and cognitive disturbances in cancer patients.
  • Levetiracetam could be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.

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