THE USE OF LEVETIRACETAM TO TREAT TICS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of levetiracetam on motor and vocal tics, behavior, and school performance in children and adolescents with tics and Tourette syndrome.

Methods: Sixty patients, age=18 years, with tics and Tourette syndrome were enrolled in this prospective, open-label study. The initial starting dose of levetiracetam was 250mg/d. The dosage was titrated over 3 weeks to 1,000 to 2,000mg/d. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, and Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale. Behavior and school performance were also recorded. Results: All 60 patients showed improvements based on all of the scales used and 43 patients improved with regard to behaviorr and school performance. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated. Three patients discontinued because of exaggeration of preexisting behavioral problems.

Conclusion: Levetiracetam may be useful in treating tics in children and adolescents. Given its established safety profile, levetiracetam is a candidate for additional evaluation.