TY - JOUR
T1 - Successful treatment of paroxysmal ataxia and dysarthria in multiple sclerosis with levetiracetam
AU - Goodwin, Shikha J.
AU - Carpenter, Adam
N1 - Funding Information:
Dr. Goodwin will like to thank her funding source NIH T32 Training grant (D A007097).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016
PY - 2016/11/1
Y1 - 2016/11/1
N2 - Background Paroxysmal ataxia and dysarthria (PAD) is a relatively rare symptom in Multiple Sclerosis patients. PAD involves transient dysfunction in control, coordination and initiation of speech and/or limb movements. Objective To describe the successful use of levetiracetam for the treatment of PAD. Methods Case report. Results A 37-year-old woman with MS developed PAD approximately 3 months after a multifocal MS relapse. Brain MRI showed a lesion in the posterior aspect of the midbrain as well as in the right posterior internal capsule, both of which were adjacent to the red nucleus. Attack frequency was reduced after starting levetiracetam at a dose of 500 mg twice daily, and attacks stopped completely once the dose was increased to 750 mg twice daily. Conclusions Given its advantages (in terms of side effects, safety profile and ease of use compared to other anticonvulsants), we suggest that levetiracetam be considered for management of PAD, and perhaps for other paroxysmal MS symptoms as well.
AB - Background Paroxysmal ataxia and dysarthria (PAD) is a relatively rare symptom in Multiple Sclerosis patients. PAD involves transient dysfunction in control, coordination and initiation of speech and/or limb movements. Objective To describe the successful use of levetiracetam for the treatment of PAD. Methods Case report. Results A 37-year-old woman with MS developed PAD approximately 3 months after a multifocal MS relapse. Brain MRI showed a lesion in the posterior aspect of the midbrain as well as in the right posterior internal capsule, both of which were adjacent to the red nucleus. Attack frequency was reduced after starting levetiracetam at a dose of 500 mg twice daily, and attacks stopped completely once the dose was increased to 750 mg twice daily. Conclusions Given its advantages (in terms of side effects, safety profile and ease of use compared to other anticonvulsants), we suggest that levetiracetam be considered for management of PAD, and perhaps for other paroxysmal MS symptoms as well.
KW - Levetiracetam
KW - Multiple sclerosis
KW - Paroxysmal dysarthria
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U2 - 10.1016/j.msard.2016.09.003
DO - 10.1016/j.msard.2016.09.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 27919504
AN - SCOPUS:84987973316
SN - 2211-0348
VL - 10
SP - 79
EP - 81
JO - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
JF - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
ER -