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Cognitive profile in BECTS treated with levetiracetam: A 2-year follow-up

Francesca Felicia Operto1, Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino2, Roberta Mazza3

  • 1Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|June 29, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) showed cognitive improvements over two years. Cognitive scores in LEV-treated children with BECTS improved, unlike the control group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy syndrome.
  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is frequently used for BECTS due to its favorable profile.
  • Long-term cognitive effects of LEV in BECTS are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate cognitive changes in children with BECTS treated with LEV monotherapy over two years.
  • To compare the cognitive profile of LEV-treated BECTS patients with a control group of children with specific learning disabilities.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 20 children with BECTS on LEV monotherapy and 10 controls with learning disabilities were assessed.
  • Cognitive profiles were evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) at baseline and after 2 years.
  • LEV blood levels and EEG were monitored; statistical analysis used Student's t-test.

Main Results:

  • Children treated with LEV showed statistically significant improvements in overall cognitive abilities after 24 months.
  • Specific cognitive domains including verbal skills, visual-perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed improved.
  • The control group's cognitive profile remained largely unchanged over the 2-year follow-up period.

Conclusions:

  • LEV monotherapy in children with BECTS does not negatively impact cognitive function.
  • Cognitive scores in children with BECTS treated with LEV demonstrated improvement over time.
  • These findings differentiate the cognitive trajectory from that observed in children with specific learning disabilities.
Abstract

Keywords:
BECTSCognitive profileLevetiracetam

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