ABSTRACT

The permanent negative effect of classical antiepileptic medication (AEM) on balance and coordination is well known. However, there is no data on the effects of the new-generation AEMs on the vestibular system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of a new-generation antiepileptic, levetiracetam (LEV), and the old-generation antiepileptics (valproate, VLP) and carbamazepine (CBZ) on balance and coordination.

Twenty-five patients taking VLP, 25 taking CBZ, and 25 taking LEV recruited from our outpatient clinic in addition to 25 healthy volunteers were evaluated regarding vestibular functions. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) examination and Berg Balance Test were performed. The difference between the groups was analyzed statistically.

The age and gender of the control and patient groups were similar (p=0.07, p=0.56). There was no difference between the control and the patient groups with respect to BAEP parameters of I-III wave interpeak latencies, III-V interpeak latencies and I-V interpeak latencies (p=0.36; p=0.83; p=0.33; p=0.46; p=0.36; p=0.32). The results of Berg Balance Test were also similar between the two groups.

According to our results, LEV, CBZ and VLP exerted no effect on BAEP parameters and balance function. Although CBZ had a small effect on balance as shown in the Berg Test, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Since there are few studies on balance in the relevant literature, our study carries a considerable value. However, our study cohort is quite small, and deserves similar, but larger studies in order to establish the effects of the new-generation AEMs on vestibular function.

Keywords: Antiepileptic medication, balance, levetiracetam