Antimyoclonic efficacy of piracetam in idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Abstract

Piracetam, a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has been used extensively for treatment of myoclonus in a variety of conditions, but not in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). We have treated a patient with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy who had frequent and inconvenient morning myoclonus with 3,200 mg of piracetam daily. She had had only two generalized tonic-clonic seizures, with the last seizure 10 years earlier. Her obesity precluded the use of sodium valproate. She had a dramatic response to piracetam with sustained cessation of myoclonus and no side effects during 1.5 years' follow-up. Further trials of piracetam for control of myoclonus in patients with IGE are justified.

• Authors: Yahya Agha Khani, Frederick Andermann, Eva Andermann
• Journal: Epilepsia (Epilepsia) Vol. 46 Issue 7 Pg. 1145-6 (Jul 2005) ISSN: 0013-9580 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16026569 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Letter)

Chemical References

• Nootropic Agents
• Piracetam

Topics

• Comorbidity
• Epilepsy, Generalized (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Nootropic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Piracetam (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome