Levetiracetam increases neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury under normothermic, but not hypothermic conditions

Is levetiracetam neuroprotective in neonatal rats with hypoxic ischemic brain injury?

“…In addition, the neuroprotective effect of LEV was higher at 800 mg.kg -1 than at 400 mg.kg -1 . Nonetheless, the present fi ndings are not in agreement with those of Griesmaier et al (15), which might be because of differences in the LEV dosage and the timing of administration. In the present study, LEV was administered immediately after hypoxia, whereas Griesmaier et al initiated LEV treatment 2 h after hypoxia.…”

“…Similarly, Komur et al (14) administered a single dose of LEV intraperitoneally (100 or 200 mg.kg -1 ) after a hypoxic period in 7-d-old rats with HIBI, and observed that LEV signifi cantly decreased neuronal apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and signifi cantly improved cognitive function. In contrast, Griesmaier et al (15) did not observe that LEV was neuroprotective in a neonatal rat model of HIBI, but noted that LEV further exacerbated brain damage under normothermic conditions.…”

“…Following reports of the neuroprotective effects of LEV and several subsequent experimental studies, many researchers have begun to wonder if LEV could be useful in treating neonatal HIBI (13)(14)(15). Kilicdag et al (13) administered intraperitoneal LEV 80 mg.kg -1 to 7-d-old rats following hypoxia and continued administering LEV 40 mg×kg -1 ×d -1 for 7 d, and reported a signifi cant decrease in neuronal apoptosis.…”

“…Another study reported that LEV signifi cantly decreased apoptotic neuron numbers and improved cognitive functions in a neonatal rat model of HIBI (14). In contrast to these 2 studies that indicate the positive effects of LEV in a neonatal rat model of HIBI, another study reported that LEV did not have a neuroprotective effect in a neonatal animal model of HIBI (15).…”

“…Due to its intriguing characteristics, some have begun to use LEV for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and several experimental studies on LEV for the treatment of HIBI have been conducted (13)(14)(15). One study reported that LEV signifi cantly decreased apoptotic neuron numbers in a neonatal rat model of HIBI (13).…”