Linked Life Data

16541329

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/16541329

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-5-23
pubmed:abstractText
Seizures are a common complication of primary (PBT) and metastatic (MBT) brain tumors, affecting approximately 50% of all patients during the course of their illness. Anti-convulsant therapy of these tumor-induced seizures is often inadequate with conventional anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), due to a variety of factors, including activation of glutaminergic NMDA receptors, immune-mediated neuronal damage, and anatomic alterations of neuronal input pathways. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new AED with a novel mechanism of action, which includes reducing the Ca++ current through neuron-specific, high voltage activated Ca++ channels (n-type). Because of this unique mechanism, it has been postulated that LEV may be effective in controlling tumor-induced seizures. A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who had received LEV for seizure control. Forty-one patients were reviewed (22 female, 19 male), with a median age of 47.5 years (range 25-81). There were 34 patients with PBT and 7 with MBT. LEV was used as an add-on AED in 33 patients and as monotherapy in eight patients, with a median dose of 1500 mg/day (range 500-3500). The baseline median seizure frequency for the cohort was 1 per week. After the addition of LEV and follow-up for a minimum of 4 weeks, the median seizure frequency was reduced to 0 per week (59% of patients noted complete seizure control). Overall, the seizure frequency was reduced in 90% of patients (P<0.0001; Sign test). The most common toxicity was somnolence, noted in 37% of patients. LEV was very effective and well tolerated in brain tumor patients with seizures, and should be considered for add-on therapy to current AEDs, or as a substitute anti-convulsant for monotherapy.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0167-594X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
78
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
99-102
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in brain tumor patients.
pubmed:affiliation
Dardinger Neuro-Oncology Center and Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. newton.12@osu.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural