Brain Tumor: Anti-Epileptic Drug Promising & Tolerable

KREMS, Austria - Sept. 7, 2022 - PRLog -- When the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV) is administered in the course of tumor removal surgery, cognitive abilities are preserved before and after surgery and the drug is well tolerated. These are the results of a comprehensive study conducted by St. Pölten University Hospital, one of the teaching and research sites of Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems). In this study, the cognitive functions of patients, their quality of life and side effects were determined at defined time points before and after tumor surgery ("perioperatively"). It was shown that neither the cognitive abilities nor the quality of life were impaired by the administration of LEV and that the side effects were low to moderate within the expected range. Blood values examined were also within the normal range. For the treating clinicians, these promising results confirm the practical approach.

Original publication: Perioperative levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis in seizure-naive brain tumor patients with focus on neurocognitive functioning. E. Konrath, F. Marhold, W. Kindler, F. Scheichel, B. Popadic, K. Blauensteiner, B. Calabek, E. Freydl, M. Weber, R. Ristl, K. Hainz, C. Sherif & S. Oberndorfer.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02762-7

About Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (2022)

At Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) in Krems, the comprehensive approach to health and disease is a fundamental objective for research and teaching. With its Europe-wide recognized bachelor-master system, KL is a flexible educational institution that is tailored to the needs of students, the requirements of the labor market as well as the scientific challenges. Currently KL hosts about 600 students in the fields of medicine and psychology. The three university hospitals in Krems, St. Poelten and Tulln ensure clinical teaching and research at the highest quality level. In research, KL focuses on interdisciplinary fields with high relevance to health policy - including medical technology, molecular oncology, mental health and neuroscience, as well as water quality and related health aspects. KL was founded in 2013 and accredited by the Austrian Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (AQ Austria). www.kl.ac.at/en

Scientific Contact

Mag. Elias Konrath

Department of Neurology

University Hospital St. Pölten

Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences

M +43 6505162890

E elias.konrath@stpoelten.lknoe.at

W http://www.stpoelten.lknoe.at

Copy Editing & Distribution

PR&D – Public Relations for Research & Education

Dr. Barbara Bauder

Kollersteig 68

3400 Klosterneuburg / Austria

T +43 664 1576350

E bauder@prd.at

W http://www.prd.at/ (http://www.stpoelten.lknoe.at/)