Effects of Keppra on Thinking, Emotions, and Balance in Elderly Healthy Volunteers

Epilepsy is a common disorder with an incidence of about 6 per 1000. The incidence progressively increases above age 50. By age 75, the incidence is two to three fold compared with any age group. Unfortunately, older individuals are especially at risk to incur significant side effects to anti-epileptic drugs. A newer anti-epileptic drug may markedly improve seizure management in older individuals as it is removed by the kidneys and not the liver and does not interact with other medications. We expect it to be tolerated well in terms of effects on memory, thinking,balance, and walking. The current study assesses the side effects of levetiracetam in healthy volunteers aged 65 to 80. Use of healthy volunteers eliminates the effects of seizures on the outcome.