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Open‐label pilot study of levetiracetam (Keppra) for the treatment of chorea in Huntington's disease
Author(s) -
Zesiewicz Theresa A.,
Sullivan Kelly L.,
Hauser Robert A.,
SanchezRamos Juan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.21061
Subject(s) - chorea , tolerability , huntington's disease , levetiracetam , parkinsonism , somnolence , medicine , clinical endpoint , tetrabenazine , movement disorders , psychology , anesthesia , adverse effect , disease , psychiatry , epilepsy , clinical trial , dopamine
The objective of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) in reducing chorea in Huntington's disease (HD) patients in a prospective open‐label pilot study. Nine HD patients with chorea were treated with LEV in doses up to 3,000 mg/day for up to 48 days. The primary endpoint measure was the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) chorea subscore. The mean dose (±SD) of LEV at endpoint was 2,583.3 ± 1,020.6 mg/day. Mean UHDRS chorea score decreased from 12.6 ± 3.0 at baseline to 6.7 ± 4.3 at endpoint ( P = 0.01). There was no significant change in UHDRS total motor scores (38.8 ± 11.4 at baseline and 33.6 ± 26.7 at endpoint; P = 0.24). Somnolence contributed to a 33% drop‐out rate, and 3 patients developed Parkinsonism. Results of this open label study suggest that LEV may be efficacious in reducing chorea in HD patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society