Ignite Creation Date:
2024-05-05 @ 4:49 PM
Last Modification Date:
2024-10-26 @ 9:24 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT00325182
Status:
COMPLETED
Last Update Posted:
2017-03-15
First Post:
2006-05-11
Brief Title:
The Effects of Levetiracetam on Alcohol Dependent Subjects
Sponsor:
Boston University
Organization:
Boston University
Study Overview
Official Title:
The Effects of Levetiracetam on Alcohol Dependent Subjects
Status:
COMPLETED
Status Verified Date:
2007-04
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
This study will attempt to examine whether Levetiracetam Keppra TM can help people with alcohol dependence cut down on their alcohol consumption In addition the investigation will assess the effectiveness of Keppra on reducing withdrawal symptoms post alcohol cessation Matched group of historical controls of alcohol dependent patients receiving placebo will be used for comparisonBased on the mechanism of action of Keppra we hypothesize that it may be effective in promoting abstinence and reducing drinking behavior in alcohol dependent patients
Detailed Description:
Alcoholism is a chronic disease with numerous psychological social and medical consequences Alcohol use disorders are one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in general population in the US Alcoholism not only disrupts an individuals life health and ability to function in the society has tremendous impact on families and communities but also is associated with enormous economic cost for society The medical and social impact of alcoholism can be reduced via effective treatments Although medical psychological and social approaches have demonstrated some efficacy no specific method has consistently shown superiority Similarly currently available pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorders are associated with moderate efficacy indicating that further efforts are required to develop novel interventions
The rewarding effects of alcohol are at least partially mediated via dopamine pathways that originate in the ventral tegmental area and project to the nucleus accumbens Alcohol through its effects on GABA receptor activity decreases the inhibitory effect of GABA on the dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area and therefore facilitates dopamine neurotransmission Medications that modulate excitatory neurotransmission in the brain glutamate and facilitate inhibitory effects of GABA have been shown to be clinically effective in treatment of alcoholism
Keppra is a novel antiepileptic medication currently approved for treatment of partial onset seizures as an adjunctive agent It has a unique mechanism of action in that it reduces negative allosteric effects of Zn and Beta- carboline in two main inhibitory receptors in the CNS- the GABA A and glycine receptors These modulators inhibit the influx of chloride though both of these receptor complexes and are therefore considered excitatory mediators Keppra prevents the negative modulation and promotes chloride flux thereby inhibiting neurotransmission
Limited laboratory work with levetiracetam Keppra has shown that the medication can reverse the anxiogenic effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal in mice Y Lamberty et al 2002 Furthermore Keppra was investigated for its potential to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms in mice In this study levetiracetam dose-dependently prevented spontaneous tremors and handling induced convulsions in alcohol dependent mice Y Lamberty et al 2002 Based on the mechanism of action of Keppra we hypothesize that it may be effective in promoting abstinence and reducing drinking behavior in alcohol dependent patients
The rewarding effects of alcohol are at least partially mediated via dopamine pathways that originate in the ventral tegmental area and project to the nucleus accumbens Alcohol through its effects on GABA receptor activity decreases the inhibitory effect of GABA on the dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area and therefore facilitates dopamine neurotransmission Medications that modulate excitatory neurotransmission in the brain glutamate and facilitate inhibitory effects of GABA have been shown to be clinically effective in treatment of alcoholism
Keppra is a novel antiepileptic medication currently approved for treatment of partial onset seizures as an adjunctive agent It has a unique mechanism of action in that it reduces negative allosteric effects of Zn and Beta- carboline in two main inhibitory receptors in the CNS- the GABA A and glycine receptors These modulators inhibit the influx of chloride though both of these receptor complexes and are therefore considered excitatory mediators Keppra prevents the negative modulation and promotes chloride flux thereby inhibiting neurotransmission
Limited laboratory work with levetiracetam Keppra has shown that the medication can reverse the anxiogenic effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal in mice Y Lamberty et al 2002 Furthermore Keppra was investigated for its potential to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms in mice In this study levetiracetam dose-dependently prevented spontaneous tremors and handling induced convulsions in alcohol dependent mice Y Lamberty et al 2002 Based on the mechanism of action of Keppra we hypothesize that it may be effective in promoting abstinence and reducing drinking behavior in alcohol dependent patients
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
None
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
None