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Effect of levetiracetam in combination with topiramate on immune function, cognitive function, and neuronal
Danfeng Pan1, Xiaoxiao Li1, Jinbiao Jiang1
1Department of Pediatrics, The First People's Hospital of Wenling Wenling 317500, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
Levetiracetam combined with topiramate improved immune and cognitive functions in children with intractable epilepsy. This combination therapy reduced inflammation and enhanced neuronal support without increasing adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Intractable epilepsy in children poses significant challenges to immune and cognitive functions.
- Neuronal nutritional status is crucial for neurodevelopment and cognitive outcomes in pediatric epilepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of levetiracetam plus topiramate on immune and cognitive functions.
- To assess changes in neuronal nutritional markers in children with intractable epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- 124 children with intractable epilepsy were studied, divided into a control group (topiramate) and an observation group (levetiracetam + topiramate).
- Flow cytometry analyzed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts.
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, MMP-9) were measured.
Main Results:
- The levetiracetam + topiramate group showed higher CD4+ T cells, BDNF, and NGF levels.
- This group also exhibited lower CD8+ T cells, IL-6, IL-1β, and MMP-9 levels.
- Cognitive function (FIQ, VIQ) improved, with no significant difference in adverse event rates compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Levetiracetam and topiramate combination therapy demonstrates a beneficial effect on immune modulation.
- This combination improves cognitive function and neuronal support in pediatric intractable epilepsy.
- The findings suggest a favorable safety profile for this combined treatment regimen.
Objective:
To determine the effects of levetiracetam in combination with topiramate on immune function, cognitive function, and the neuronal nutritional status of children with intractable epilepsy.
Methods:
This study enrolled 124 children with intractable epilepsy who were admitted to our hospital. The control group included 58 children treated with topiramate, and the observation group included 66 children treated with levetiracetam and topiramate. Flow cytometry was used to determine CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts before and after treatment in both groups.
Results:
After treatment, the observation group exhibited significantly higher CD4+ T cell counts and BDNF and NGF levels and significantly lower CD8+ T cell counts and IL-6, IL-1β, and MMP-9 levels than the control group. The FIQ and VIQ of the observation group were also significantly higher than those of the control group. Additionally, the incidence rates of adverse events were not significantly different between the observation and the control groups. Finally, IL-6, IL-1β, and MMP-9 were negatively correlated with full-scale intelligence quotient (FIQ) and virtual inhibitory quotient (VIQ).
Conclusions:
Levetiracetam in combination with topiramate is associated with reduced inflammatory response and improved immune function, cognitive function, and neuronal nutritional status in children with intractable epilepsy.
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