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Levetiracetam

All articles tagged with #levetiracetam

medicine21 days ago•48 min saved

Levetiracetam targets DMG’s growth drivers, boosting survival in a tumor subclass

Retrospective data from multiple centers show levetiracetam use is linked to longer overall survival in pediatric diffuse midline glioma (DMG) but not in hemispheric high-grade gliomas. In DMG models, levetiracetam reduces tumor growth and extends survival by selectively dampening low-frequency GABAergic neuron-to-glioma synaptic transmission through a brain-tumor–specific, SV2A-independent mechanism; brivaracetam (SV2A-targeted) did not reproduce this effect. The findings suggest a DMG-specific therapeutic avenue that warrants prospective trials, with caveats including small sample sizes and retrospective design.

via Nature|

#diffuse-midline-glioma #gabaergic-synapses #levetiracetam

science-and-tech7 months ago•263 min saved

Old seizure medicine shows potential to prevent Alzheimer's decades before symptoms

Northwestern University researchers report that levetiracetam, a long-used anti-seizure drug, may prevent Alzheimer’s by blocking the production of amyloid-beta 42, the protein linked to plaques, with results seen in animal models and cultured human neurons (and post-mortem Down syndrome brain tissue). If taken decades before symptoms, it could theoretically slow or prevent disease, though there are no human trials yet and the evidence is observational; researchers caution that the drug would need to start very early and are pursuing longer-lasting formulations and trials, including in genetic forms of Alzheimer’s.

via AOL.com|

#alzheimers-disease #alzheimers-prevention #amyloid-beta

health7 months ago•7 min saved

Seizure drug levetiracetam shows potential to prevent Alzheimer's by halting toxic protein buildup

Northwestern University researchers report that the anti-seizure drug levetiracetam blocked the production of amyloid-beta 42 in animal models, cultured human neurons, and post-mortem Down syndrome brain tissue, suggesting a possible Alzheimer’s prevention mechanism by stopping toxic protein formation. The findings are preclinical and observational with no human trials yet, and experts caution that any preventive use would require very early treatment and consideration of side effects, while researchers pursue longer-lasting versions and plans for human testing.

via Fox News|

#alzheimers-disease #amyloid-beta-42 #down-syndrome

health7 months ago•9 min saved

Repurposed Seizure Drug Could Prevent Alzheimer’s Plaque Formation

Northwestern researchers identify that the Alzheimer’s-related amyloid-beta 42 peptide accumulates inside presynaptic vesicles, and that the FDA-approved anti-seizure drug levetiracetam blocks its production by binding SV2A and slowing vesicle recycling, shifting APP away from the Aβ42-producing pathway. The findings in animal models, cultured human neurons, and Down syndrome brain tissue suggest a very early preventive approach—levetiracetam would need to be taken long before symptoms for a potential reduction in risk. A review of clinical records hints a modest delay in cognitive decline-to-death for patients on levetiracetam, supporting a possible benefit, while researchers urge developing longer-acting versions and testing in inherited Alzheimer’s forms. Importantly, this would not treat established dementia.

via SciTechDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #amyloid-beta #app-processing