Genetic variation in dopaminergic activity is associated with the risk for psychiatric side effects of levetiracetam
Epilepsia, 08/09/2012

Helmstaedter C et al. – Confirming the suggestion from behavioral observations that patients might be predisposed to develop irritation and aggression under treatment with LEV, the findings provide first evidence of an association of genetic variation in dopaminergic activity and the risk for psychiatric complications of LEV treatment. Replication and further work is required to prove a true causal relationship. Overall, the pharmacogenomic approach to behavioral side effects may provide a future tool to predict adverse psychotropic effects related to antiepileptic drugs.