A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam for dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Movement disorders 2011-07, Vol.26 (8), p.1552-1555
• Main Authors: Wong, Kitty K., Alty, Jane E., Goy, Amanda G., Raghav, Sanjay, Reutens, David C., Kempster, Peter A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Antiparkinson Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Over Studies; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Double-Blind Method; dyskinesia; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced - drug therapy; Humans; levetiracetam; levodopa; Levodopa - adverse effects; Medical sciences; Neurology; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinson's disease; Piracetam - analogs & derivatives; Piracetam - therapeutic use; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0885-3185; 1531-8257
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.23687

Background: This randomized double blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study investigated the antidyskinetic effects of levetiracetam in Parkinson's disease. Methods: Sixteen participants with levodopa‐induced dyskinesia were enrolled. Hourly videotaped dyskinesia assessments scored by the Goetz method and hourly Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor subscale scoring were conducted on 1 day at the end of each treatment period. Results: Dyskinesia was slightly less on placebo (P = .26). Patient diary records also showed less dyskinesia on placebo (P = .10). Parkinsonism was a little worse on levetiracetam, at borderline statistical significance (P = .05). Conclusions: Levetiracetam was well tolerated at doses up to 2000 mg per day, but we did not detect any antidyskinetic properties. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society