Balance and Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Patients with epilepsy exercise less than the general population. A barrier to exercise may be the effect of antiepileptic drugs on balance and reaction time. This proposal endeavors to study the effect of two common antiepileptic drugs (levetiracetam and lamotrigine) on balance and reaction time using a Wii balance board and reaction time test. This will be tested at descending doses in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Drug levels will be monitored, as well as center of pressure, and reaction time.

Patients with epilepsy (PWE) exercise less compared to the general population. One barrier to participation in exercise is the subtle effect of anti epileptic drugs (AEDs) on balance and reaction time. Information on these measures in PWE is scarce, although previous data does suggest a detrimental effect. The objective of this trial is to study balance and reaction time in patients taking common AEDs. The investigators plan to study the effect of levetiracetam and lamotrigine on balance and reaction time. By studying patients in the epilepsy monitoring unit who are undergoing medication taper and withdrawal, the investigators can observe the effects of varying doses of these drugs within a single subject and also compare these data points to age matched controls. A Wii balance board (WBB) will be used to measure balance. It is hypothesized that levetiracetam and lamotrigine will elicit a dose-dependent, detrimental effect on balance and reaction time. Patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit who are currently taking levetiracetam or lamotrigine either in monotherapy will be recruited for the study. The target enrollment is 20 PWE, and 20 healthy controls. For the PWE in the study, baseline AED blood levels will be obtained at baseline. The WBB has cells which detect load shifts in the body. Participants will stand on the WBB and remain as steady as possible. First on both feet with eyes open for 30 seconds, and then on both feet with eyes closed for 30 seconds, then on one foot with eyes open for 10 seconds, and then on one foot with eyes closed for 10 seconds. Each task will have 3 trials, with adequate break between. Visit 2 will occur following weaning of AEDs. The investigators will measure center of pressure and reaction time testing similar to visit one. Blood AED levels will be checked at three half lives of the medication. This will be taken within 8 hours of visit 2.