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Neurosci Lett. 2010 Jan 14;
Authors: Kim JE, Choi HC, Song HK, Jo SM, Kim DS, Choi SY, Kim YI, Kang TC
Levetiracetam (LEV, 2S-(oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)butanamide, Keppra(R), UCB Pharma) is a new antiepileptic drug used to treat certain types of seizures in epilepsy patients. However, the pharmacodynamics of LEV is still controversial.
Recently, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has been reported to involve in epileptic phenomena. Therefore, we investigated the effects of LEV on IL-1beta system in the hippocampus and piriform cortex of chronic epileptic rats.
As compared to controls, typical reactive astrogliosis and microgliosis were observed in the hippocampus and piriform cortex of epileptic animals. In addition, both reactive astrocytes and reactive microglia showed strong IL-1beta and interleukin-1 receptor subtype 1 (IL-1R1) immunoreactivities.
LEV reduced reactive gliosis and expression levels of IL-1beta system in the hippocampus and the piriform cortex, while valproic acid did not.
These findings suggest that the LEV may have, at least in part, anti-inflammatory effect, particularly against IL-1beta system in neuroglia within epileptic brains.
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Levetiracetam’s mechanism of action has for a long time been unclear. Its utility in psychiatry has been limited given an unknown mechanism of action.
This article helps at least point out one possible mechanism of action – an anti-inflammatory effect which can be highly useful.
Interestingly, I wonder if this also is one mechanism of action for Piracetam. Piracetam is a substance which structurally is very similar to Levetiracetam. It has, for years, been used as a Nootropic agent.