Levetiracetam: The Anti-Convulsant of Choice for Elderly Patients With Dementia

Elderly persons with dementia are at risk for seizures, however, traditional anticonvulsants are poorly tolerated in this population. Our goal is to examine Levetiracetam (Keppra) in elderly dementia patients with seizures. While it has been established that Keppra controls seizures in this age group, it is important to demonstrate that treatment with Keppra would not affect cognitive abilities in this large population of patients . As this population is already cognitively impaired, the best choice of anticonvulsant would be one that does not further compromise their cognitive abilities. Keppra is an excellent anticonvulsant agent in the elderly for a variety of reasons, including safety, favorable side effect profile, lack of interaction with other drugs, and efficacy. Our retrospective pilot data suggests that cognition is not negatively affected by Keppra. The current prospective study will assess the cognitive abilities of persons with cognitive impairment at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12. The overall objective is to determine the cognitive tolerability of Keppra for seizures in elderly cognitively impaired patients.

This is a prospective, phase 4, open label, twelve week study. The study will consist of a 4 week titration phase followed by an 8 week assessment phase. All clinic visits will be conducted at Drexel University College of Medicine Department of Neurology at 219 N. Broad St., Phila., PA.

Visit one will include reviewing and signing the written informed consent form, obtaining relevant demographic data, and then routine blood work. The baseline frequency, duration and type of seizures our subjects experience will be documented, as will their current antiepileptic medications. Baseline history and a physical and neurological examination will be performed, including vital signs. Testing will include baseline measurements of cognition, function (activities of daily living), and behavior. Cognitive testing will include Folstein's Minimental State examination (MMSE), and the ADAS-cog. Our overall assessment will include the Modified Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Behavioral assessment will include Tariot's Behavior Ratings Scale and the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI; long form). Levetiracetam will be initiated and instructions for follow up will be given. Because the goal is cognitive tolerability, Levetiracetam will be used as either an add-on agent or as primary monotherapy.

During week two, a follow up telephone assessment will be done to review the instructions and to determine whether any medical changes or adverse events occurred. Adverse events will be assessed by direct questioning and spontaneous patient/caregiver reports. The date, number, duration and type of seizures any of our subjects experience will also be documented.

At the third assessment (week 4), a follow up physical and neurological examination will be done, including vital signs, and the mental testing, including the tests of cognition, function and behavior will be repeated. An assessment will be made to determine whether adverse events occurred. Adverse events will be assessed by review of the subject's seizure log, physician observation, direct questioning and spontaneous reports. The date, number, duration and type of seizures any subject experiences will also be documented. In cases where levetiracetam is an add-on agent, we will attempt to taper the preceding medications if seizure control has been demonstrated. Cognitive testing will be done when subjects are not in a post-ictal state. Any subject who has had a seizure with generalization within 24 hours of their scheduled testing will be rescheduled to another day within one week.

At week twelve, a full follow up mental status assessment will be done for the final assessment. Testing will be the same as that done at weeks 1 (baseline) and 4. Again, cognitive testing will not be done when subjects are in a post-ictal state. Any subject who has had a seizure with generalization within 24 hours of their scheduled testing will be rescheduled to the next available day, within one week.

Follow up blood work and a screen for adverse events will also be obtained at that time. Again, adverse events will be assessed by review of their seizure log, physician observation, direct questioning and spontaneous reports. The date, number, duration and type of seizures will be documented.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Able to give written informed consent
* Meet validated clinical criteria for Alzheimer's disease, mixed dementia or MCI
* Age range greater than or equal to 60 years
* Stable general medical condition as assessed by the investigator
* Seizures which are partial in onset (with or without secondary generalization)
* Subjects with 4 or fewer seizures per month
* MMSE score of less than 28 at baseline
* Patients who are currently being treated with anticonvulsants or those with new onset seizures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with other clinically significant organic or neurological diseases. Patients considered medically unstable
* Patients in end stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis
* Patients with a known hypersensitivity to Levetiracetam
* Patients with primary generalized epilepsy
* Patients with brain tumors or other significant CNS abnormalities that are the primary cause of the seizures
* Patients with a history of status epilepticus
* Patients with severe psychiatric diagnoses or severe behavioral problems
* Dementia patients lacking a caregiver.