Vossel K, Ranasinghe KG, Beagle AJ, et al. - Levetiracetam has good tolerability as a treatment option for Alzheimer disease (AD). Although it failed to improve the primary outcome (executive function) but allowed patients with AD and epileptiform activity to have improved performance on spatial memory and executive function tasks in the prespecified analysis.

• A phase 2a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial (LEV-AD study) including 34 adults (80 years and younger) with AD who were randomized (17 participants to group A: placebo twice daily for 4 weeks followed by a 4-week washout period, then oral levetiracetam, 125 mg, twice daily for 4 weeks; and 17 participants to group B: treatment using the reverse sequence).

• No significant alteration in cognitive function was brought about by levetiracetam.

• However, levetiracetam led to improved executive function and spatial memory in patients with AD who had seizures or subclinical epileptiform activity that was detected via extended neurophysiological recordings.

• No treatment discontinuations occurred due to adverse events.