| Effect of levetiracetam on cognitive functions and quality of life: a one-year follow-up study. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19017572 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess changes in cognitive functions and quality of life in patients with epilepsy over one year of treatment with levetiracetam (LEV) as add-on therapy. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (16 women; 16 men) who received LEV as an add-on treatment were included, and 27 completed the one-year follow-up period. Extensive neuropsychological assessments, together with a quality-of-life questionnaire were administered at baseline and at one, three, six and twelve months after beginning the add-on treatment. Patients received LEV starting with 500 mg/day in the first week, increasing by a further 500 mg/day per week until a target dose of 2 000 mg/day was reached by the end of the first month. RESULTS: At the one-year follow-up, a significant improvement was observed in measurements of prospective memory, working memory, motor functions, verbal fluency, attention and quality of life. Performance for neuropsychological and quality-of-life tests was not affected by external variables such as seizure reduction or changes in previous anti-epileptic treatment. Slight changes between patients were observed, but these were not clinically significant.The limited sample size and the lack of a control group should be mentioned as limitations of the study. No control group was evaluated as in our clinical practice it was difficult to establish a comparable group of patients. Changes in the different variables were assessed by comparing baseline information with follow-up results.Despite the study limitations, we consider that the one-year treatment period provides valuable information regarding the drug's long-term effects in this setting. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that long-term LEV treatment as add-on therapy does not interfere with cognitive function and improves quality of life. |
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Authors:
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Mariana López-Góngora; Alejandro Martínez-Domeño; Carmen García; Antonio Escartín |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape Volume: 10 ISSN: 1294-9361 ISO Abbreviation: Epileptic Disord Publication Date: 2008 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-11-21 Completed Date: 2009-01-09 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 100891853 Medline TA: Epileptic Disord Country: France |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 297-305 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona Spain. mlopezgon@santpau.cat |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Aged Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*, therapeutic use* Cognition / drug effects* Epilepsy / drug therapy*, psychology* Female Follow-Up Studies Humans Male Middle Aged Neuropsychological Tests Piracetam / adverse effects, analogs & derivatives*, therapeutic use Prospective Studies Quality of Life Seizures / epidemiology Young Adult |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Anticonvulsants; 33996-58-6/etiracetam; 7491-74-9/Piracetam |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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