The effect of levetiracetam on depression and anti-oxidant activity  in patients with epilepsy

Jafar Mehvari-Habibabadi; Mohammad Zare; Mohammad Reza Aghaye-Ghazvini; Maryam Rahnama

doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i4.11719

Jafar Mehvari-Habibabadi Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammad Zare Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammad Reza Aghaye-Ghazvini Isfahan Center of Health Research, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Rahnama Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cjn.v21i4.11719

Keywords: Epilepsy; Depression; Zinc; Glutathione; Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Background: Levetiracetam (LEV) is approved for treating epilepsy. The current evidence shows that LEV can cause behavioral problems such as depression. It is well-known that depression is associated with oxidative stress. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the influence of LEV on depression severity and anti-oxidant status.

Methods: In this prospective longitudinal study,
50 patients with diagnosis of epilepsy on LEV were included. We used Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to assess depression severity. The serum levels of zinc and glutathione were measured as anti-oxidant markers. These variables were evaluated at the baseline and 3 months after the commencement of LEV.

Results: A total of 30 patients finished the follow-up. Among them, 21 patients were women. The mean age at baseline was 28.76 ± 11.37 (range: 16-68 years). The severity of depression at the last follow-up was significantly higher than the baseline. We observed a decrease in the serum levels of zinc and glutathione, though they were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that LEV can increase the risk of depression in patients with epilepsy. This study also suggests that zinc depletion can be induced through act of LEV. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.