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Article
Open-Label Pilot Study of Levetiracetam (Keppra) for the Treatment of Chorea in Huntington’s Disease
Movement Disorder (2006)
  • Kelly L. Sullivan, University of South Florida
  • Theresa A. Zesiewicz, University of South Florida
  • Robert A. Hauser, University of South Florida
  • Juan Sanchez-Ramos, University of South Florida
Abstract
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.
Keywords
  • Levetiracetem,
  • Keppra,
  • Chorea,
  • Huntington's Disease
Disciplines
Publication Date
November 21, 2006
DOI
10.1002/mds.21061
Citation Information
Kelly L. Sullivan, Theresa A. Zesiewicz, Robert A. Hauser and Juan Sanchez-Ramos. "Open-Label Pilot Study of Levetiracetam (Keppra) for the Treatment of Chorea in Huntington’s Disease" Movement Disorder Vol. 21 Iss. 11 (2006) p. 1998 - 2001 ISSN: 1531-8257
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kelly_sullivan/126/