Alzheimer's disease and Epilepsy

While Alzheimer¿s disease (AD) patients have an increased risk of developing seizures, epileptic activity triggers a variety of inhibitory compensatory responses in hippocampal circuits to counteract imbalances in network activity, interfering with normal neuronal/synaptic functions required for learning and memory. Since antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been claimed to variably modulate cognition; a concern is raised about the most favorable AEDs member in such indication.Gabapentin, and levetiracetam significantly improved colchicine-induced cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, and reduced BDNF level. Gabapentin increased AChE activity, while levetiracetam and donepezil decreased it. Despite the increase in BDNF level. While carbamazepine did not significantly improved colchicine-induced cognitive impairment.New AEDs, particularly levetiracetam, improved cognitive function and obviously protected both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex from deleterious effects of colchicine. Based on its significant neuroprotection, levetiracetam might be the most favorable AEDs to be used in Alzheimer¿s-like dementia.