Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2015 Apr 30;13(1):83-93. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.1.83.

The influence of levetiracetam in cognitive performance in healthy individuals: neuropsychological, behavioral and electrophysiological approach.

Magalhães JC¹, Gongora M¹, Vicente R^1,², Bittencourt J^1,^3,⁴, Tanaka G¹, Velasques B^1,^2,³, Teixeira S⁵, Morato G⁵, Basile LF⁶, Arias-Carrión O^7,⁸, Pompeu FA², Cagy M⁹, Ribeiro P^1,^2,³.

Author information

1: Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2: Bioscience Department (EEFD/UFRJ), School of Physical Education.
3: Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
4: Veiga de Almeida University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
5: Brain Mapping and Plasticity Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina.
6: Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Faculdade da Saúde, UMESP, São Paulo.
7: Movement Disorders and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Unit, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
8: Neurology Department, Hospital General Ajusco Medio, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
9: Biomedical Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The present study sought to analyze the influence of Levetiracetam (LEV) in cognitive performance by identifying the changes produced by LEV in reaction time, in neuropsychological assessment of attention and memory and in absolute theta power in frontal activity.

METHODS:

Twelve healthy subjects (5 men and 7 women; mean age, 30.08 years, standard deviation, 4.71) were recruited for this study. The neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test (A and B), Digit Span (direct and indirect numerical orders/working memory); Stroop test (inhibitory control of attention); Tower of London (planning and decision-making) and a quantitative electroencephalography were applied in 2 different days after and before the participants ingested the capsule of placebo or 500 mg LEV.

RESULTS:

A two-way-ANOVA was implemented to observe the interaction between conditions (placebo or LEV 500 mg) and moments (pre- and post-ingestion of LEV or placebo). The data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package (p<0.05). For the neuropsychological parameter, the Trail Making Test (A) was the only test that showed significant difference for condition in the task execution time (p=0.026). Regarding the reaction time in the behavioral parameter, an interaction between both factors (p=0.034) was identified through a two-way-ANOVA (condition versus moment). Electrophysiological measures showed a significant interaction for electrodes: F7, F3, and FZ.