Objective: This study compared the effect of levetiracetam (LEV) as monotherapy to sodium valproate (VPA) as monotherapy on cognitive functions in patients with epilepsy.
Methods: This was a comparative prospective study on 50 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy started on antiseizure medications. Patients were selected from the neurology-outpatient clinics at Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt. They were divided into two groups: group treated with LEV and group treated with VPA. All patients were subjected to cognitive function assessment using reaction-time tests, trail-making tests, and Wisconsin card-sorting test before treatment and 3 months after treatment.
Results: Both groups of patients showed reduction in seizure frequency. However, patients on LEV showed significant improvement in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment, while patients in the VPA group showed significant impairment in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment.
Conclusion: Both groups of patients showed reduction in seizure frequency. However, patients on LEV showed significant improvement in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment, while patients in the VPA group showed significant impairment in measured cognitive functions 3 months after starting treatment.
Keywords: cognitive function; epilepsy; levetiracetam; monotherapy; valproate.
© 2020 El Sabaa et al.