Effects of carbamazepine and levetiracetam on gaze and posture control

K. Won; F. Schautzer; S. Krafczyk; J. Kleine; U. Büttner; S. Noachtar

doi:10.1055/s-2005-919328

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Aktuelle Neurologie 2005; 32 - P294
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-919328

Effects of carbamazepine and levetiracetam on gaze and posture control

K Won ¹, F Schautzer ¹, S Krafczyk ¹, J Kleine ¹, U Büttner ¹, S Noachtar ¹

¹Munich

Congress Abstract

Purpose: To compare objective measures (nystagmography, posturography) of side effects of slow release carbamazepine (CBZ) and levetiracetam (LEV) on gaze and posture control.

Methods: Eye movements and posture control were investigated prospectively before (baseline) and 1 hour, 4 hours and 8 hours after a single dose of 1000mg LEV and 400mg slow release CBZ in 12 healthy volunteers in a double-blind cross-over randomized trial.

Results: LEV reached average maximum plasma levels of 17.6mg/l 1 hour after intake, whereas CBZ reached average maximum plasma levels of 4.8mg/l 8 hours after intake. CBZ impaired posture control by 670% of the baseline body sway (p<0.001). In contrast, LEV showed only an increase of body sway of 18.2%. Peak saccade velocity was significantly slower with with CBZ (15.7%) (p<0.024), whereas the slowing caused by LEV was not signficant. Smooth pursuit was not significantly influenced by either drug.

Conclusion: CBZ markedly impairs posture control and to a lesser extent gaze control which is not the case with LEV.