Levetiracetam monotherapy for children and adolescents with benign rolandic seizures

Lacosamide monotherapy for the treatment of childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

OBJECTIVE

Childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (CECTS) is known as age-limited focal epilepsy syndrome in childhood. Lacosamide is a third-generation antiepileptic drug. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lacosamide monotherapy for the treatment of CECTS.

METHODS

We enrolled 18 patients (6 girls and 12 boys) who met the following criteria: 1) the age of onset of the seizures was between 3 and 13 years of age; 2) showing at least hemifacial and/or oropharyngeal seizures; 3) interictal discharges in central and/or middle temporal electrodes; 4) no intellectual disability; 5) treatment duration of lacosamide monotherapy over 6 months. We retrospectively collected and analyzed clinical data and treatment information. We evaluated the seizure occurrences during 0-3, 4-6, and 7-12 months from the treatment initiation and the last 6 months of the follow-up. We also evaluated the outcomes as seizure-free if the patients developed no seizures both over 6 months and 3 times of pretreatment mean seizure interval at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 39%, 67% and 72% were seizure-free during 0-3, 4-6, and 7-12 months from treatment initiation, respectively. Finally, 83% of the patients achieved seizure freedom. Seizure freedom was achieved in 72% during the first 4 months of treatment. All patients continued lacosamide monotherapy during the study, although four patients showed transient fatigue or somnolence.

CONCLUSIONS

Lacosamide showed good efficacy for controlling seizures with fewer adverse effects, and therefore may be a good candidate as a first-line medication for the treatment of new-onset CECTS.

Sodium channel blockers are effective for benign infantile epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the efficacy and tolerance of the antiseizure medications lacosamide (LCM) and levetiracetam (LEV) in patients with benign infantile epilepsy (BIE).

METHODS

The clinical data of 24 children with BIE seen between 2014 and 2020 were collected retrospectively, and treatment, effectiveness, and adverse effects were examined. PRRT2 gene analysis was performed using Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

Of the 24 children with BIE, 14 were treated with antiseizure medications. PRRT2 gene analysis was performed in 14 children, and mutations were identified in 4, including a pair of siblings. All five children treated with LCM became seizure-free, similar to those treated with carbamazepine. The LCM does was 2 mg/kg/day in all cases. There were no adverse effects in any patient treated with LCM. By contrast, both patients treated with LEV had seizure recurrence. In one patient, LEV was replaced with CBZ, resulting in seizure freedom.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose LCM was effective and well tolerated in patients with BIE, whereas LEV was insufficiently effective.

Initial levetiracetam versus valproate monotherapy in antiseizure medicine (ASM)-naïve pediatric patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures

INTRODUCTION

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a second-generation antiseizure medicine (ASM) with broad-spectrum efficacy and tolerability. Few studies have compared the efficacy of valproate (VPA) and LEV as monotherapy in the pediatric population. Herein, we compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of LEV monotherapy with those of VPA monotherapy in ASM-naïve pediatric patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy with tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) data of these ASM-naïve pediatric patients who were treated with either oral VPA or oral LEV as monotherapy for over 2 years at our center.

RESULTS

This study included 60 patients with a seizure onset age between 2 months and 12 years. The patients on VPA (29 patients) and LEV monotherapy (31 patients) showed similar favorable 6-month treatment outcomes (complete seizure control in 79.31% vs 80.64%, p = 0.468052). Age at epilepsy onset, epilepsy syndrome, EEG features and ASM dose were not significant predictors of the 6-month treatment outcomes in either group. Lower seizure frequency at presentation was a predictor of favorable 6-month treatment outcomes in the LEV group but not in the VPA group. VPA and LEV treatment showed similar favorable 6-month treatment outcomes in the febrile seizures plus and patients with unidentified epilepsy syndrome subgroups. None of the patients discontinued VPA or LEV due to treatment-associated adverse effects.

DISCUSSION

Our study showed that compared to VPA monotherapy, LEV monotherapy in ASM-naïve infants and children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy with GTC seizures has a similarly favorable efficacy and tolerability, independent of age, EEG features and epilepsy syndrome.

Treatment for the Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Centrotemporal Spikes: A Monocentric Study

Background and Purpose: To date, there is no specific treatment guideline for the benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Several countries recommend levetiracetam, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine as first-line drugs. Nevertheless, some of these drugs are associated with cognitive decline. Available studies that investigated the efficacy of levetiracetam and sodium valproate on BECTS involved small sample sizes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of levetiracetam and sodium valproate on cognition, and to investigate the prognostic factors for BECTS as whole.

Methods: Clinical data and treatment status of all patients with BECTS at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University followed from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Since electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) has been confirmed to play a role in cognitive deterioration, in order to evaluate the response to drugs and their cognitive effects, we created two groups of patients according to the levels of spike wave index (SWI): group 1; 0–50% SWI and group 2; >50% SWI at the last follow up.

Results: A total of 195 cases were enrolled: 49.7% received monotherapies, 24.1% duotherapies and 27.2% polytherapies. Medications included; levetiracetam plus other drug (s) (75.9%), levetiracetam alone (32.8%), sodium valproate plus other drug (s) (31.3%), and sodium valproate alone (5.1%). After 2 years of treatment and follow up, 71% of the cases had a good seizure outcome, 15.9% had an improvement of SWI, and 91.7% had a normal DQ/IQ. Sodium valproate combined with levetiracetam, and sodium valproate alone correlated with good improvement of SWI, whereas, focal spikes were linked with poor improvement. For both groups (group 1 and group 2): monotherapy, levetiracetam alone, and a normal DQ/IQ at seizure onset correlated with good cognitive outcomes, in contrast, polytherapy, sodium valproate plus other drug (s), levetiracetam plus sodium valproate, an initial SWI of ≥85%, and multifocal spikes were linked to cognitive deterioration.

Conclusions: Monotherapy, particularly levetiracetam seems to be a good first-line therapy which can help in normalizing the electroencephalograph and preventing cognitive decline. Polytherapy, mostly the administration of sodium valproate seems to relate with poor cognition, therefore, it is recommended to avoid it.

A Systematic Review of Seizure-Freedom Rates in Patients With Benign Epilepsy of Childhood With Centrotemporal Spikes Receiving Antiepileptic Drugs

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate seizure remission rates in patients with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) receiving antiepileptic drugs.

METHODS

PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies on pharmacotherapy in patients with BECTS using free search terms or Medical Subject Headings. Only studies that used seizure-freedom rates as an indicator for pharmaceutical efficacy were considered. Different antiepileptic drugs were compared using the Fisher exact test for seizure-freedom rates.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies were included, 6 of them being randomized controlled trials. The randomized controlled trials included a total of 308 patients and covered sulthiame (n = 52), topiramate (n = 45), levetiracetam (n = 43), oxcarbazepine (n = 31), carbamazepine (n = 68), and clobazam (n = 18) as well as placebo (n = 35) and untreated control groups (n = 16). Treatment success rates were significantly higher in those children treated with sulthiame, levetiracetam, and clobazam compared with the children treated with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate.

CONCLUSIONS

The available literature suggests the use of sulthiame, levetiracetam, or clobazam as first-line agents for the treatment of BECTS.

Effectiveness of Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy

The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and retention rates of levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy. A retrospective review of pediatric patients receiving levetiracetam monotherapy at 2 large tertiary epilepsy centers over an 11-year period was conducted. One hundred two patients using levetiracetam monotherapy with a mean age of 13.1 years were identified. For the entire cohort, a 6-month retention rate was 61.1% and a 12-month retention rate 53.1%. With regard to seizure freedom, 46.8% of those patients that remained on monotherapy for at least 6 months became seizure free. Twelve-month seizure freedom was reached by 41.2%. About one-third (32.4%) of patients reported adverse effects, with irritability, moodiness, and depression being the most common. Despite a number of patients that reported adverse events, levetiracetam monotherapy was found to be potentially effective in this cohort of children with epilepsy and warrants further, prospective studies.

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

INTRODUCTION

Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common epileptic syndrome in childhood, characterized by brief and infrequent partial motor seizures, with or without generalization and mostly recurring during sleep. Because of its favorable efficacy, tolerability, and safety profile, levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy is often administered in these patients. Long-term effects of LEV therapy and its influence on cognitive functions remain controversial.

PURPOSE

This evaluated the changes in the cognitive profile of children with BECTS treated with LEV monotherapy for 2 years, compared with a control group of children with specific learning disabilities.

METHOD

Our patient cohort included 20 children aged 8-14 years diagnosed as having BECTS and administered LEV monotherapy and 10 age/sex-matched controls with specific learning disabilities. All participants underwent a standardized test for assessing cognitive profile (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition [WISC-IV]) before drug therapy and after 2 years of treatment. Average LEV blood level and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were periodically monitored. Several factors such as age, sex, response to therapy, and EEG pattern changes were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for paired and independent samples. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Children administered LEV for 24 months showed a mild but statistically significant improvement in overall cognitive abilities. Verbal skills, visual-perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed showed slight but significant improvement. In the control group, cognitive profile remained substantially unchanged at 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only do our data suggest a nonworsening of the cognitive profile in BECTS with LEV but, on the contrary, cognitive scores also improved over time, unlike the control group.

Levetiracetam versus carbamazepine in treatment of rolandic epilepsy

PURPOSE

The aim of the current study was to systematically review the literature to compare the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) with that of carbamazepine (CBZ) to control seizures and reduce the burden of interictal epileptiform discharges in children with rolandic epilepsy (RE) and also to compare their tolerability.

METHODS

We searched the electronic database PubMed on January 9, 2019 for original articles that included the following English-language search terms in the title: "Rolandic epilepsy" OR "benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes" since 2000. We concentrated our review on three main areas: 1. Neuropsychological impairments in children with RE; 2. Influence of epileptic activity on cognitive performance in RE; 3. Effects of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapies in RE.

RESULTS

The primary search yielded 308 papers. We reviewed the results and removed duplicate articles and all nonoriginal, non-English papers. Finally, after carefully reviewing the full texts, we included 44 original articles to achieve the aims of this review.

CONCLUSION

Physicians taking care of children with RE should be aware of the risks for cognitive dysfunctions in these patients and screen their patients for any subtle dysfunction that may affect their academic performance and achievement. If and when the physician decides to prescribe an AED for their patients with RE, LEV is probably a better option compared with CBZ to prescribe for these children.

Sleep Related Epilepsy and Pharmacotherapy: An Insight

In the last several decades, sleep-related epilepsy has drawn considerable attention among epileptologists and neuroscientists in the interest of new paradigms of the disease etiology, pathogenesis and management. Sleep-related epilepsy is nocturnal seizures that manifest solely during the sleep state. Sleep comprises two distinct stages i.e., non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) that alternate every 90 min with NREM preceding REM. Current findings indicate that the sleep-related epilepsy manifests predominantly during the synchronized stages of sleep; NREM over REM stage. Sleep related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE), benign partial epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes or benign rolandic epilepsy (BECTS), and Panayiotopoulos Syndrome (PS) are three of the most frequently implicated epilepsies occurring during the sleep state. Although some familial types are described, others are seemingly sporadic occurrences. In the present review, we aim to discuss the predominance of sleep-related epilepsy during NREM, established familial links to the pathogenesis of SHE, BECTS and PS, and highlight the present available pharmacotherapy options.

Effects of Levetiracetam and Sulthiame on EEG in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

BECTS (benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes) is associated with characteristic EEG findings. This study examines the influence of anti-convulsive treatment on the EEG.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial including 43 children with BECTS, EEGs were performed prior to treatment with either Sulthiame or Levetiracetam as well as three times under treatment. Using the spike-wave-index, the degree of EEG pathology was quantified. The EEG before and after initiation of treatment was analyzed. Both treatment arms were compared and the EEG of the children that were to develop recurrent seizures was compared with those that were successfully treated.

RESULTS

Regardless of the treatment agent, the spike-wave-index was reduced significantly under treatment. There were no differences between the two treatment groups. In an additional analysis, the EEG characteristics of the children with recurrent seizures differed statistically significant from those that did not have any further seizures.

CONCLUSION

Both Sulthiame and Levetiracetam influence the EEG of children with BECTS. Persistent EEG pathologies are associated with treatment failures.

Effect of anticonvulsive treatment on neuropsychological performance in children with BECTS

INTRODUCTION

Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common epilepsy syndrome in childhood. Besides the occurrence of seizures, mild cognitive impairments and behavioral problems affecting language skills, spatial perception, memory, executive function, and academic achievement might be present. There is no international consensus about the decision whether or not to treat affected children. The influence of treatment on cognitive functions is debated.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with BECTS were assessed in short term auditory memory, long-term verbal memory, intelligence and behavior using the "number recall" test from the Kaufman assessment battery for children, the "verbal learning memory test", the "culture free intelligence test" and the "child behavior checklist" prior to a randomized controlled antiepileptic therapy and after a treatment period of 6 months with either sulthiame or levetiracetam.

RESULTS

43 of 44 randomized patients were analyzed. One patient had to be excluded due to protocol violation. Patients who completed the study showed a non-significant improvement in parent-reported behavioral problems under therapy. Cognitive skills were not affected.

CONCLUSION

The present data suggest that antiepileptic drug treatment of children with BECTS with either sulthiame or levetiracetam does not affect cognitive performance. Behavior improved in a subset of patients though not reaching statistical significance.

Safety of Levetiracetam in Paediatrics: A Systematic Review

Objective

To identify adverse events (AEs) associated with Levetiracetam (LEV) in children.

Methods

Databases EMBASE (1974-February 2015) and Medline (1946-February 2015) were searched for articles in which paediatric patients (≤18 years) received LEV treatment for epilepsy. All studies with reports on safety were included. Studies involving adults, mixed age population (i.e. children and adults) in which the paediatric subpopulation was not sufficiently described, were excluded. A meta-analysis of the RCTs was carried out and association between the commonly reported AEs or treatment discontinuation and the type of regimen (polytherapy or monotherapy) was determined using Chi² analysis.

Results

Sixty seven articles involving 3,174 paediatric patients were identified. A total of 1,913 AEs were reported across studies. The most common AEs were behavioural problems and somnolence, which accounted for 10.9% and 8.4% of all AEs in prospective studies. 21 prospective studies involving 1120 children stated the number of children experiencing AEs. 47% of these children experienced AEs. Significantly more children experienced AEs with polytherapy (64%) than monotherapy (22%) (p<0.001). Levetiracetam was discontinued in 4.5% of all children on polytherapy and 0.9% on monotherapy (p<0.001), the majority were due to behavioural problems.

Conclusion

Behavioural problems and somnolence were the most prevalent adverse events to LEV and the most common causes of treatment discontinuation. Children on polytherapy have a greater risk of adverse events than those receiving monotherapy.

Incidental rolandic spikes: long-term outcomes and impact of treatment

We describe a group of 26 children with no prior history of seizures consistent with benign rolandic epilepsy who had rolandic spikes found coincidentally on EEG. A retrospective chart review as well as phone and email follow-ups with families were completed to assess long-term outcomes. A subset of this group (n=7) with reported comorbid language or learning difficulties was then given an empiric trial of levetiracetam. Seven (27%) children eventually developed seizures, with a median of 14months after the abnormal EEG. Of the 7 children ever treated with levetiracetam, 5 exhibited beneficial effects on learning, speech, or behavior. Side effects reported were mild and included irritability and headache. Incidental rolandic spikes may represent a discrete neurologic condition, with approximately one-quarter of the patients later developing epilepsy. Some of these children may experience improved intellectual functioning with levetiracetam.

Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Children with Epilepsy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Levetiracetam, a second-generation anti-epileptic drug (AED) with a good efficacy and safety profile, is licensed as monotherapy for adults and children older than 16 years with focal seizures with or without secondary generalization. However, it is increasingly being used off-label in younger children.

OBJECTIVES

We critically reviewed the available evidence and discuss the present status of levetiracetam monotherapy in children 0-16 years old.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched the literature using PubMed, Web of Science and Embase up to August 2014 for articles on levetiracetam monotherapy in children. Keywords were levetiracetam, monotherapy and child*. The titles and abstracts of 532 articles were evaluated by AW, of which 480 were excluded. The full texts of the other 52 articles were assessed for relevance.

RESULTS

We covered one review, one opinion statement and 32 studies in this review, including four randomized controlled trials, ten open-label prospective studies, eight retrospective studies, and ten case reports. The formal evidence for levetiracetam monotherapy in children is minimal: it is potentially efficacious or effective as initial monotherapy in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. In all of the published studies, however, efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam seemed to be good and comparable to other AEDs.

CONCLUSION

The data of 32 studies on levetiracetam monotherapy in children were insufficient to confirm that levetiracetam is effective as initial monotherapy for different types of seizures and/or epilepsy syndromes. There is still an urgent need for well designed trials to justify the widespread use of levetiracetam monotherapy in children of all ages.

Newer anti-epileptic drugs

NEED AND PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A number of newer anti-epileptic drugs have been developed in the last few years to improve the treatment outcomes in epilepsy. In this review, we discuss the use of newer anti-epileptic drugs in children.

METHODS USED FOR LOCATING, SELECTING, EXTRACTING AND SYNTHESIZING DATA

MEDLINE search (1966-2013) was performed using terms newer anti-epileptic drugs, Oxcarbazepine, vigabatrin, topiramate, zonisamide, levetiracetam, lacosamide, rufinamide, stiripentol, retigabine, eslicarbazepine, brivaracetam, ganaxolone and perampanel for reports on use in children. Review articles, practice parameters, guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series were included. The main data extracted included indications, efficacy and adverse effects in children.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS

Oxcarbazepine is established as effective initial monotherapy for children with partial-onset seizures. Vigabatrin is the drug of choice for infantile spasms associated with tuberous sclerosis. Lamotrigine, levetiracetam and lacosamide are good add-on drugs for patients with partial seizures. Lamotrigine may be considered as monotherapy in adolescent females with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Levetiracetam is a good option as monotherapy for females with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Topiramate is a good add-on drug in patients with epileptic encephalopathies such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and myoclonic astatic epilepsy.

Evaluation of levetiracetam and valproic acid as low-dose monotherapies for children with typical benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS)

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the monotherapeutic efficacies of levetiracetam (LEV) and valproic acid (VPA) in a cohort of newly diagnosed children with typical benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).

METHODS

A total of 56 children with typical BECTS were retrospectively reviewed in the analyses. Thirty-three children received LEV and 23 received VPA as initial monotherapy, and the treatments lasted for at least 18 months.

RESULTS

The average dosage of LEV was 22.7 ± 4.7 mg/kg/day, and that of VPA was 18.7 ± 5.7 mg/kg/day. The seizure-freedom rates were not significantly different between the two groups at 6 (57.5% vs. 60.9%), 12 (81.8% vs. 73.9%) or 18 months (100% vs. 100%). However, a greater number of the children taking VPA achieved Electroencephalography (EEG) normalization compared to those taking LEV both at 12 (78.3% vs. 45.5%) and 18 months (95.7% vs. 72.7%; p<0.05). No children discontinued therapy due to adverse effects during the follow-up. Only one child (4.7%) in the VPA group exhibited mild weight gain (BMI increase of 2 at the end of follow-up) but did not withdraw from treatment.

CONCLUSION

Low-dosage VPA and LEV monotherapies are equally effective in controlling seizures, but VPA exhibited better efficacy than LEV in improving the electrophysiological abnormalities of children with BECTS. None of the patients discontinued therapy, which was likely due to the administration of low dosages.

Levetiracetam vs. sulthiame in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes in childhood: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial (German HEAD Study)

OBJECTIVE

To show non-inferiority of levetiracetam to sulthiame with respect to efficacy, tolerability and safety in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes in a prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

A sample size of 60 subjects (treatment group) was calculated to show reliable statistical results for non-inferiority. A total of 44 patients could be randomly allocated to either (LEV or STM) treatment group. Explorative data analysis was performed to investigate differences in the number of treatment failure events (occurrence of a seizure during the observation period of 6 months) and total dropouts. In addition, information of the occurrence of adverse events was collected.

RESULTS

43 patients were analyzed. One patient had to be excluded due to protocol violation. Treatment failure events occurred in four patients (19.0%) in the LEV treatment group and in two patients (9.1%) in the STM treatment group, respectively, (p = 0.412). The number of dropouts due to adverse reactions was five in the LEV treatment group and one in STM treatment group (23.8% vs. 4.5%, respectively, p = 0.095). Severe adverse events occurred in patients treated with LEV (n = 2, 9.5%). The total number of dropouts due to either seizure recurrence or adverse events was significantly higher in the LEV group (n = 9, 42.9%) compared to the STM group (n = 3, 13.6%, p = 0.03).

INTERPRETATION

The study results concerning non-inferiority were not conclusive, as the calculated sample size was not reached to support sufficient statistical power due to limited recruitment in a 26 months period. The rates of seizure free patients were [relatively] high in both groups. However, the results indicate that termination of drug treatment due to seizure recurrence or adverse events occurred more frequently in the LEV group compared to STM. Behavioral disturbances were the most common adverse event causing study termination.

Acquired epileptiform opercular syndrome: F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings and efficacy of levetiracetam therapy

We report a five-year-old girl presenting with dysphagia, dysarthria, drooling, and generalized tonic convulsions in whom the final diagnosis was acquired epileptiform opercular syndrome. Levetiracetam monotherapy at a dosage of 40 mg/kg/day improved the clinical findings, and seizures were controlled at the end of the first month of treatment. Six months after the initial diagnosis, she presented with speech deterioration and dysarthria. At this time, although sleep and awake electroencephalography (EEG) were normal, FDG-PET showed hypometabolic and hypermetabolic regions in the anterior/inferior and anterior regions of the right frontal lobe, respectively. By increasing before levetiracetam dosage to 50 mg/kg/day, the clinical findings resolved and the patient is still seizure free. Acquired epileptiform opercular syndrome is a rare epileptic disorder in which the seizures are resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs. Levetiracetam may be an effective antiepileptic drug in controlling seizures and other clinical findings in acquired opercular epileptiform syndrome. Hypometabolic and hypermetabolic regions in FDG-PET study may be due to ongoing seizure activity or impaired glucose metabolism in this disorder.

Correlation between language impairment and problems in motor development in children with rolandic epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

An association between impaired school performance and rolandic epilepsy is frequently reported. Language outcome, in particular, seems to be affected, although rolandic epilepsy originates from the motor-sensory cortex. In this study we tried to find a correlation between locomotion problems and language impairment.

METHODS

In this noncontrolled, open, clinical cohort study of 48 children with rolandic epilepsy, a 24-hour EEG and a neuropsychological assessment were obtained for all children.

RESULTS

Children with rolandic epilepsy had a significant delay in reading skills (reading words: mean=6 months, SD=11.9, P<0.002; reading sentences: mean=8.6 months, SD=12.7, P<0.001), compared with the healthy population. There was a significant correlation between problems in motor development and delays in reading skills (reading words: r=-0.426, P=0.006; reading sentences: r=-0.343, P=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Reading performance is impaired in children with rolandic epilepsy. Reading of sentences is more impaired than reading of words. There is a significant correlation between problems in motor development and language, suggesting their interaction at the level of the cortex.

Update on the newer antiepileptic drugs in child neurology: advances in treatment of pediatric epilepsy

The goal of epilepsy treatment is the prevention of recurrent seizures, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay. Uncontrolled seizures may cause medical, developmental, and psychologic disturbances. Treatment advances include 1) identification of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy and action of AEDs, 2) the introduction of many new AEDs, and 3) the use of neurostimulation, starting with vagus nerve stimulation. We must balance the efficacy of an AED versus its side effects, which if persistent, lead to patient discontinuation of the AED. Although all AEDs have a proven efficacy, they are differentiated by their efficacy for a given seizure type or epilepsy syndrome versus the side effects or tolerability. The many new AEDs give us a larger armamentarium for epilepsy treatment. We refer to studies and expert opinion consensus.

Pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with epilepsy

INTRODUCTION

Childhood epilepsies are the most frequent neurological problems that occur in children. Despite the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) 25-30% of children with epilepsy remain refractory to medical therapy.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to highlight the main published data on the treatment of childhood epilepsy. The electronic database, PubMed, and abstract proceedings were used to identify studies. The aim of antiepileptic therapy should be to provide complete seizure control, if possible without the burden of any side effect. Since 1993, new agents have been approved for use as an antiepileptic. Although there are few published data (especially in pediatric populations) to establish that the second-generation AEDs are more efficacious than the older AEDs, they appear to have better tolerability.

EXPERT OPINION

Old AEDs are efficacious agents that continue to play a major role in the current treatment of epilepsy. These agents actually remain the first-line treatment for many specific seizure types or epileptic syndromes. The new AEDs were initially approved as adjunct agents and--subsequently--as monotherapy for various seizure types in the adult and children. Despite these improvements, few AEDs are now considered to be a first-choice for the treatment of epilepsy in children.

Benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS): to treat or not to treat, that is the question

The goal of this review is to assess the value of treating versus not treating benign epilepsy (of childhood) with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Among 110 recommendations from 96 articles, two-thirds generally favored and one-third generally did not favor treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Two studies concluded that all patients should be treated, but most investigators added qualifications, for example, treating those with early onset, multiple seizures at onset, and large numbers of seizures, especially generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and limiting treatment to 1 year. Other studies made treatment dependent on epileptiform discharges or amelioration of symptoms. Specific AEDs were reviewed, and in the largest number of positive studies, valproic acid or carbamazepine was favored. Among the studies generally opposing treatment, none opposed treatment for all patients in all circumstances. Usually, qualifications to treat were added, for example, if generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred or if there was a change in quality of life. One AED associated with negative effects was carbamazepine, treatment with which can result in the development of epileptic negative myoclonus, absence seizures, and generalized spike-wave complexes on the EEG. Thus, if treatment is planned, valproic acid may be considered the drug of choice in BECTS. Although many neurologists oppose treatment; twice as many studies concluded in favor of treatment. The typical benign aspect of this disorder may allow for nontreatment to be without serious consequences.

Levetiracetam in childhood epilepsy

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug that has been shown to be effective in various types of seizures, both partial and generalized. Although it is not yet well established because of the small number of studies, levetiracetam as both add-on therapy and monotherapy can be considered as an alternative to valproic acid in some pediatric patients. We have reviewed the available data on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of levetiracetam in children with epilepsy. The efficacy of levetiracetam as an adjunctive therapy and as monotherapy for generalized and partial childhood epilepsies and for some types of specific epileptic syndromes of infancy and childhood (such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, benign rolandic epilepsy, and Jeavon syndrome) has been demonstrated in some studies. Moreover, levetiracetam may be a valuable option for children with refractory epilepsy. The reported tolerability of levetiracetam and its safety profile are favorable. Among the side effects reported, behavioral changes and even psychotic reactions seem to occur more frequently in younger patients (under 4 years of age). The onset of signs/symptoms usually occurs early, even during the titration phase, and, in many cases, at a low dosage (<20 mg/kg/day). These side effects were always observed to be reversible after discontinuation of levetiracetam. In conclusion, results from clinical trials to date suggest that levetiracetam has a full spectrum of efficacy as well as a favorable safety profile, and this drug can be considered a valuable option in the treatment of epilepsy in pediatric patients.

Levetiracetam as add-on therapy in different subgroups of "benign" idiopathic focal epilepsies in childhood

Several recent studies have shown that levetiracetam (LEV) can be beneficial in the treatment of children with typical rolandic epilepsy (RE). Reports about the effectiveness of LEV in the treatment of children with the less benign variants in the spectrum of "benign" idiopathic focal epilepsies are still rare. Little is known about the effect of LEV on interictal epileptiform discharges in these syndromes. We report on LEV therapy in 32 children (mean age: 10.6 years, range: 4-14) with RE or variants like atypical benign idiopathic partial epilepsy of childhood (ABIPEC), Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS), and continuous spikes and waves during sleep (CSWS) and in children with benign idiopathic focal epileptiform discharges of childhood (BIFEDC). Cognitive and behavioral problems, not seizures, may be related to the pathological EEG. Patients with a reduction in seizure frequency >50% and/or reduction in BIFEDC >90% 3 months after having started LEV therapy were defined as responders. The average dose of LEV was 39 mg/kg body wt per day; LEV was given in monotherapy to 31.3% of the patients. Overall, 20 of 32 patients (62.5%) did benefit: 12 of 24 patients had a >50% reduction in seizure frequency; 2 of 24 patients (8.3%) were completely seizure free; 18 of 32 patients (56.3%) had a >90% reduction in BIFEDC (including CSWS); 6 of 32 (18.8%) had an EEG completely free of epileptiform discharges; and 17 of 32 (53.1%) showed improvement in cognition and/or language functions and/or behavior. Surprisingly, LEV tended to be more helpful in atypical rolandic epilepsies and other variants.

Levetiracetam monotherapy for childhood occipital epilepsy of gastaut

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this open label pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) as 'de novo' monotherapy in children and adolescents with late onset childhood occipital epilepsy-Gastaut type (COE-G).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve patients suffering from COE-G were enrolled in this prospective study. The age of seizures onset ranged from 6.1 to 16.2 years with a peak of frequency at mean (+/-SD) 10.54 +/- 2.77 years. Therapy with LEV was started at 10 mg/kg/day and, after titration, the final dose was generally achieved within 4 weeks and ranged from 20.7 to 45.2 mg/kg/day.

RESULTS

At the 6 month evaluation, 11 (91.6%) of the 12 patients studied were seizure free, and one (8.3%) showed four additional episodes. Electroencephalography (EEG) activity was normal in six (54.5%) patients, unchanged in two (18.1%) children, and in four (33.3%) patients sporadic occipital abnormalities persisted. At the 12-month evaluation all patients were completely seizure free. Four patients (33.3%) continued to show some EEG abnormalities, while eight (72.8%) patients had normal EEG. At the 18-month evaluation all patients were seizure free and 10 patients (83.3%) showed a complete normalization of EEG abnormalities.

DISCUSSION

Monotherapy with LEV was effective and well tolerated in patients with COE-G. Nevertheless, prospective, large, long-term double-blind studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Levetiracetam in children with refractory epilepsy: lack of correlation between plasma concentration and efficacy

PURPOSE

The goals of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) as add-on therapy in children with refractory epilepsies and to determine the value of LEV blood level monitoring in this population.

METHODS

Sixty-nine children (39 males and 30 females) treated with LEV between 2006 and 2007 were selected. Their medical files were reviewed for LEV efficacy and tolerability. In a subgroup of children currently taking LEV, plasma concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography by ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method and correlated with the given dose per kilo as well as clinical response.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients (74%) had a more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency with 16 patients (23%) becoming seizure free on LEV. Eighteen (26%) patients had a less than 50% reduction in seizure frequency. Adverse events due to LEV ranged from mild to moderate in only 18 patients (26%). The most frequently observed were drowsiness, behavioral difficulties, increase in seizure frequency and headaches. The majority (60.5%) of the responders received doses between 10 and 50mg/kg/day and had a plasma concentration (PC) between 5 and 40microg/ml. However, we found no clear correlation between PC and efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Levetiracetam given twice a day in children with refractory epilepsy reduces seizure frequency in all types of epilepsy. In children, LEV is a broad spectrum anticonvulsant with a favourable safety profile.

The underrecognized epilepsy spectrum: the effects of levetiracetam on neuropsychological functioning in relation to subclinical spike production

The purpose of this prospective, open-label pilot study was to determine whether treatment with levetiracetam improves neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents who have evidence of subclinical spike production associated with attention and learning difficulties. Six participants (mean age 9.8 years) were treated with levetiracetam up to 40 mg/kg per day and evaluated using neuropsychological (Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second Edition), academic (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Second Edition, Abbreviated), and electroencephalographic assessments at baseline and after 10 weeks of treatment. Statistically significant improvements on indexes of the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second Edition were observed in 4 participants after 10 weeks. No statistically significant differences were observed for the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Second Edition, Abbreviated. Concomitant spike suppression was observed. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated. A subset of patients exists with attention and learning problems that have associated aberrant cortical electrical activity without clinical seizures and associated neuropsychological deficits that may improve after treatment with levetiracetam.

Levetiracetam in the treatment of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common chronic disorder that requires long-term antiepileptic drug therapy. Approximately one half of patients fail the initial antiepileptic drug and about 35% are refractory to medical therapy, highlighting the continued need for more effective and better tolerated drugs. Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug marketed since 2000. Its novel mechanism of action is modulation of synaptic neurotransmitter release through binding to the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A in the brain. Its pharmacokinetic advantages include rapid and almost complete absorption, minimal insignificant binding to plasma protein, absence of enzyme induction, absence of interactions with other drugs, and partial metabolism outside the liver. The availability of an intravenous preparation is yet another advantage. It has been demonstrated effective as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and myoclonic seizures of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. In addition, it was found equivalent to controlled release carbamazepine as first-line therapy for partial-onset seizures, both in efficacy and tolerability. Its main adverse effects in randomized adjunctive trials in adults have been somnolence, asthenia, infection, and dizziness. In children, the behavioral adverse effects of hostility and nervousness were also noted. Levetiracetam is an important addition to the treatment of epilepsy.

Levetiracetam versus carbamazepine monotherapy for partial epilepsy in children less than 16 years of age

Newer antiepileptic drugs are reported to have better side-effect profiles than traditional antiepileptics, although the evidence to this effect and their efficacy is limited. We compare the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam and carbamazepine monotherapy in children with partial epilepsy < or = 16 years of age. We identified 86 patients (66 levetiracetam, 20 carbamazepine) treated with initial monotherapy for partial epilepsy and followed for > or = 6 months. Efficacy was based on the number of patients achieving seizure freedom of > or = 6 months. Tolerability was based on parent-and patient-reported side effects. Forty-eight (73%) subjects on levetiracetam and 13 (65%) subjects on carbamazepine achieved 6 months of seizure freedom. A total of 70% of patients on carbamazepine and 45% of those on levetiracetam had at least 1 adverse event while on monotherapy (P = .07). Levetiracetam and carbamazepine monotherapy demonstrate similar efficacy for treatment of partial epilepsy and are well tolerated in children.

A pilot study transitioning children onto levetiracetam monotherapy to improve language dysfunction associated with benign rolandic epilepsy

Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) and Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) are similar epilepsy syndromes with sleep-accentuated epileptiform activity, sporadic seizures, and language dysfunction. Levetiracetam has been associated with improved language function in LKS and seizure reduction in BRE. We hypothesized levetiracetam would improve language function in children with BRE. A pilot study was performed with six children (aged 6-12) with BRE and evidence of impaired auditory comprehension and verbal memory. Children were transitioned from their current anticonvulsant to 40 mg/kg/day levetiracetam over a 2-week period and retested at 6 months. At 6 months, three of four children with baseline auditory comprehension impairments performed normally (P=0.06), and five had improved auditory verbal memory (P=0.08). Seizures improved in five, decreasing from 2.7 to 1.0 seizure per 6 months (P=0.11). Results from this pilot study suggest that levetiracetam may have a beneficial effect on language in children with BRE.