Effects of Levetiracetam Compared to Valproate on Cognitive Functions of Patients with Epilepsy
Ramy M El Sabaa*1 Emad Hamdi2,3 Nermin AlyHamdy4 Hatem A Sarhan5
*1Deraya University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia, Egypt
2Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
3Psychiatry Department, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
4Neurology Department, Minia University, Faculty of Medicine, Minia, Egypt
5Pharmaceutics Department, Minia University ,Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia, Egypt
Citation: El Sabaa RM, Hamdi E, AlyHamdy N, Sarhan HA (2023) Effects of Levetiracetam Compared to Valproate on Cognitive Functions of Patients with Epilepsy. SciTech Neuro-Mental Health 2023.
Received: November 23, 2022 Accepted: November 25, 2022 Published: November 25, 2022
Abstract
Objective: This study compared the effect of levetiracetam (LEV) as monotherapy to sodium valproate (VPA) as monotherapy on cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy.
Methods: This was a comparative prospective study on 50 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy started on antiseizure medications. Patients were selected from the neurology outpatient clinics at Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt. They were divided into two groups: group treated with LEV and group treated with VPA. All patients were subjected to cognitive function assessment using reaction-time tests, trail-making tests, and Wisconsin cardsorting test before treatment and 3 months after treatment.
Results:Both groups of patients showed reduction in seizure frequency. However, patients on LEV showed significant improvement in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment, while patients in the VPA group showed significant impairment in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment.
Conclusion:The results of the current study established that the new-generation LEV can improve cognitive functions, in contrast to the older drugs VPA. In light of the current results, it can be concluded that using LEV a monotherapy in patients with epilepsy was effective in controlling seizures, with the additional benefit of improving cognitive functions
Keywords: Cognitive function, Epilepsy, Levetiracetam, Valproate, Monotherapy
