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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2011; 09(02): 239-242
DOI: 10.3233/JPN-2011-0461
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Lack of efficacy of levetiracetam and worsening of epileptic negative myoclonus

Shefali Karkare
a   Department of Pediatric Neurology, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, NY, USA
,
Sabiha Merchant
a   Department of Pediatric Neurology, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, NY, USA
,
Gail E. Solomon
a   Department of Pediatric Neurology, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, NY, USA
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Publication History

06 August 2009

26 February 2010

Publication Date:
30 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Epileptic negative myoclonus (ENM) is an infrequent seizure type seen in association with a variety of epileptic syndromes. It has been reported to occur in benign focal epilepsies of childhood and can be worsened by a number of antiepileptic medications. Levetiracetam widely used to treat positive myoclonus in diverse clinical situations has also been reported as a therapeutic option. We report two children with partial epilepsy that demonstrated induction of ENM in one and worsening of ENM in the second patient on levetiracetam.

Keywords

Epileptic negative myoclonus - levetiracetam - child