Effects of Levetiracetam on Childhood-onset Refractory Epilepsy Classified by Level of Intellectual Disability

Abstract

The efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) for childhood-onset refractory epilepsy was retrospectively evaluated from medical records, based on the level of intellectual disability. The study sample included 84 patients (68 adults, 16 children) with childhood- onset refractory epilepsy who had been treated with LEV (dose: adult, 1000 mg/day; children, 30 mg/kg/day) for approximately 1.7 years. The responder rates (≥ 50% and ≥ 75% reduction in seizure frequency from baseline) were 85.7% and 42.9% for focal seizures in adults with normal intelligence; the responder rates for focal seizures in adults with intellectual disabilities were average 69.0% and 6.9%, respectively. Serious adverse events were not observed. A high level (≧75%) of reduction can be expected for focal seizures in adults with normal intelligence but cannot be expected in adults with intellectual disabilities. Further studies are required to investigate these.