Treatment with levetiracetam in a patient with pervasive developmental disorders, severe intellectual disability, self-injurious behavior, and seizures: a case report

Neurocase. 2012;18(5):386-91. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2011.627336. Epub 2011 Nov 7.

Abstract

Pervasive developmental disorder is characterized by various symptoms that often include self-injurious behavior (SIB). Episodes of SIB occur in the context of high emotional arousal, anger, or fear and may be related to epilepsy. We report the case of a 20-year-old man with pervasive developmental disorder presenting with SIB non-responsive to antipsychotic medication. Positron emission tomography showed a right temporoparietal hypometabolic focal lesion suggestive of an epileptic focus. Two weeks after initiation of levetiracetam (Keppra®), SIB disappeared, without recurrence 24 months later. Levetiracetam (Keppra®) may be beneficial for such patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / complications*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / complications*
  • Levetiracetam
  • Male
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Seizures / complications
  • Seizures / drug therapy*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / complications
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam