Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: N/A
Brief Summary: Unlike the first generation antiepileptic medications, newer drugs for epilepsy such as levetiracetam are reported to have less adverse effect in children but not many studies have systematically reviewed the subject. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the effect of levetiracetam on neurocognition, behavioral issues and quality of life, as well as its seizure control efficacy and other adverse events in pediatric epilepsy patients, in comparison to carbamazepine, one of the classic antiepileptic medication, widely prescribed for both partial and generalized seizures, despite its well known side effects.

This multicenter, open-label, parallel-group trial is expected to enroll 130 patients from age 4 to 16 woh will be randomized into two groups, which will be prescribed with levetiracetam or carbamazepine. Series of neuropsychological assessment and behavioral and life evaluations of the patients will be performed at baseline period and after the 52 weeks of study period.


Options:
A: INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects will be eligible for the study if they meet all of the following inclusion criteria:

1. Male or female subjects, 18 to 75 years of age inclusive.
2. Subjects with untreated, newly diagnosed epilepsy having at least two well documented, unprovoked, clinically evaluated and classified partial seizures (with or without secondary generalization) or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (without clear focal origin) within 12 months of the Screening Visit, of which at least one seizure occurred within three months of the Screening Visit (\> one seizure within a 24 hour period will be counted as one seizure).
3. Subjects will either have had no previous use of an AED, or treatment with one AED for a maximum duration of two weeks before the Randomization Visit (T1).
4. Subjects have a documented electroencephalogram (EEG) within 12 months of the Screening Visit, compatible with localization-related epilepsy (to exclude primary generalized epilepsy).
5. Subjects have a documented computed axial tomography (CAT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan confirming the absence of a progressive neurological lesion within 12 months of the Screening Visit.
6. Female subjects without childbearing potential (two years post-menopausal, bilateral oophorectomy or tubal ligation, complete hysterectomy) are eligible. Female subjects with childbearing potential must not be pregnant as confirmed by a negative pregnancy test at screening and randomization, must not be lactating and must be using a medically acceptable form of contraception, for the duration of the study and for one month following discontinuation of the study drug. Medically acceptable contraception is defined here as oral contraception pill with at least 50 micrograms ethinylestradiol per intake, contraceptive injections and implants, or intrauterine device in place for at least three months.
7. Subjects who are able and willing to follow investigational study procedures, maintain a seizure diary, and report AEs.
8. Subjects who are able and willing to give written informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects who meet any of the following exclusion criteria will not be eligible for the study:

1. Subjects have a history of clinical investigations, including EEG data, that are suggestive of idiopathic generalised epilepsy as defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
2. Subjects with a history of absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic, or atonic seizures.
3. Subjects have a history of status epilepticus, and/or non-epileptic seizures (e.g., metabolic, pseudo-seizures).
4. Subjects have experienced seizures relating to drugs, alcohol, acute medical illness, mental retardation, or subjects with situation-related seizures.
5. Subjects have progressive encephalopathy or findings consistent with progressive CNS disease or lesion (e.g. infection, demyelination, or tumour).
6. Subjects have a history of a significant or currently uncontrolled disease that will interfere with the conduct of this study or the assessment of safety and efficacy of the study drug.
7. Subjects have been previously treated with carbamazepine or zonisamide.
8. Subjects have received an investigational drug or device in the three months prior to the Screening Visit.
9. Subjects have a known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, dibenzazepine derivatives, or tricyclic antidepressants.
10. Subjects have a history of bone marrow depression, low platelet count or other blood dyscrasia.
11. Subjects have a history of acute intermittent porphyria.
12. Subjects have a history of renal disorder (serum creatinine level of \> 135 Ã¬mol / l (1.5 mg/dL at the Screening Visit), hepatic disorder or clinically significant abnormal liver function tests; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>2 times the upper normal limit.
13. Subjects have a body weight of less than 40 kg.
14. Subjects have a history of progressive malignancy within the previous 5 years (excluding a history of non-metastasized and adequately treated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma).
15. Subjects have a history of psychiatric illness or mood disorder requiring electro-convulsive or drug therapy within the previous 6 months which is considered uncontrolled; a history of suicide attempt; alcohol or drug abuse; chronic treatment with benzodiazepines or barbiturates.
16. Subjects are currently taking carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
17. Subjects have a history of pancreatitis, nephrolithiasis or hypercalcuria, clinically significant laboratory or electro-cardiographic abnormalities, or uncontrolled hypertension.
18. Subjects are currently taking mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or any other excluded medications.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients from age 4 to 16, who have been diagnosed with focal epilepsy
2. Patients who have experienced minimal two unprovoked seizures, or patients who have had one unprovoked seizure and have shown focal abnormality in the EEG
3. Patients who have not received any antiepileptic medications prior to the study (Those who have been treated with rescue medication are eligible)
4. Patients with eligible consent or with legal guardians have given official consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with progressive CNS disease, or systemic illness
2. Patients with level of SGOT/SPGT above the doubled normal level or BUN/Creatinine above the 3 times of the normal range
3. Patients who had used other anti-epileptic medication during any period of the trial, including baseline period. (Benzodiazepine used as rescue therapy is acceptable)
4. Patients who show hypersensitive reaction to the study medication.
5. Patients with any psychological problems.
6. Patients deemed inappropriate for the study by the investigators
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female subjects 12 to 75 years of age.
* Subjects must have inadequately controlled partial onset epilepsy.
* Subjects must be experiencing 2 to 40 seizures per 4-week period while being maintained on one or two standard AED(s)

Exclusion Criteria:

* A history of status epilepticus in the 6 months preceding randomization.
* Significant medical, psychiatric or neurological illness.
* Intake of benzodiazepines on more than an occasional basis
* History of previous treatment with levetiracetam or sensitivity to levetiracetam.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Active epilepsy
* Aged 2-15 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Excluded absence
* Myoclonic and malignant epilepsy syndromes
* Major motor and cognitive impairments
* Those currently receiving antiepilepsy drugs.

Answer: B