Levetiracetam (LEV: (S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine acetamide) is an anticonvulsant/antiepileptic drug. The specific aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of low-dose LEV in reducing hippocampal activity in schizophrenia. The investigators also hypothesize that LEV will improve neurocognition in participants with schizophrenia.
LEV is typically administered in twice-daily doses of 500-1500 mg for the treatment of epilepsy; these doses are generally well tolerated (Patsalos, 2000). Most relevant to the proposed study, LEV (125 mg twice-daily, two week administration) has been shown to reduce hippocampal hyperactivity and improves cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The proposed study will administer 125 mg of immediate release LEV twice-daily for two weeks. This dose was chosen to potentially maximize efficacy while minimizing side effects. The proposed dose is substantially lower than the most common dose used clinically for epilepsy treatment of 3000 mg/day.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
18
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Resting-state neuronal response
Neuronal response (measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI) in the hippocampus during rest
Time frame: 2 weeks
Neurocognitive function
Cognitive function as measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)
Time frame: 2 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.