Abstracts

Epilepsy in the elderly is often cryptogenic and the seizure occor without a defined provoking factor or a remote or current neurological pathology clinically or instrumentally evident.Aim of this open label trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low doses of Levetiracetam as monotherapy in elderly patients with cryptogenic epilepsy., 14 patients more 60 years old(mean age 68 years) with newly diagnosis of cryptogenic epilepsy have been enrolled in the study, with at least 2 seizures before entering the study. 10 out 14 had CPC, 4 out 14 had GTCS. 8 patients received 1000mg/die(500x2) of LEV starting with 250mg/die for a week, uptitrared of 250 mg of everyweek up to 1000mg/die; 6 patients received 2000mg/die. Every 3 months all patients performed a visit to access efficacy and safety through neurological examination,seizure diary,EEG,complete blood test,MMSE,SF12,NPI. 8 patients suffered from hypertension, 4 patients fron diabets and 2 osteoporosis., After follow-up of 12 months all patients were seizure free: 8 patients at 1000mg/die and 6 patients needed for a higher dose(to 2000mg/die). After LEV treatment, all patients showed an improvement in quality of life as the level of autonomy and relationships is increased.
LEV was well tolerated without any interaction with others concomitants treatments. Sonnolence,dizziness,headache,agitation and irritability, all mild and temporary(few days). All patients completed the Study., Levetiracetam as monotherapy showed a good efficacy and safety for Cryptogenic Epilepsy in the Elderly,even at low doses,without interactions with others concomitant therapies and without persistent side effects.,