Seizure-Control Effect of Levatiracetam on Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and Other Epileptic Syndromes: Literature Review of Recent Studies

Introduction Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic generalized epileptic syndrome, mostly initiated before adolescence. It is usually preceded by myoclonic jerks (sudden brief involuntary muscle spasm) in the second decade of life. JME may be presented with different types of seizure activity. Simple bilateral myoclonic seizure is the most seen clinical presentation of JME (1). Family history of epilepsy was positive in about 27–44% of patients indicating underlying genetic susceptibility of the disease (2, 3). Typical seizure episodes occur after awakening in the early morning or evening relaxation period (4). Abstract Objective Various epileptic syndromes may present in adolescence and Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is known to be the most common idiopathic generalized epileptic syndrome presenting itself with different types of seizure activity. The exact etiology of JME is still unknown, but hypoxia, storage disease, toxic-metabolic disorders, drug reactions, and neurodegenerative disorders have been revealed to cause disease manifestation. Previous research shows that JME includes 5–10% of all cases diagnosed with epilepsy. It is estimated to include 18% of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Females are at higher risk of developing this condition. Levetiracetam (LEV) is an anti-epileptic drug that has become one of the most used drugs for the management of epileptic syndromes. It has less drug interactions, milder side effects, and broad-spectrum efficacy to make it an ideal drug to control seizures. Different mechanisms of actions have made LEV a novel anti-epileptic drug. This new medication can be used as a mono-or add-on therapy to previous anti-epileptic drugs. One of the clinically valuable pharmacological aspects of LEV is that it can be started at a high therapeutic dosage and is well tolerated. The median starting dosage varied according to patients underlying disease, age, and disease severity. We have also discussed the effect of LEV on other epileptic syndromes, which showed promising results in both adults and children. In childhood epilepsy, there is evidence proving that a higher rate of behavioral disturbances with neurological disorders can be improved by LEV therapy. Finally, our review showed the beneficial effects of LEV on seizure-control in different epileptic syndromes especially as a mono-therapy. alcohol consumption can trigger seizures. Genton et al. proposed that clinicians should consider an early onset epileptic episode as JME in young adults until it is ruled out (4). Myoclonic patterns can be subdivided into essential, physiological, epileptic, and symptomatic. The exact etiology is still unknown. The most …