Faculty mentor/PI email address
pittonrissardo-jamir@cooperhealth.edu
Keywords
Levetiracetam, antiseizure medication, tremor, essential tremor, management, therapy
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder with limited therapeutic options. Levetiracetam has been proposed as a potential treatment, but published studies report inconsistent efficacy and safety findings. We performed a meta‑analysis to quantify the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in patients with essential tremor using pooled effect estimates. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed was performed to identify clinical studies evaluating levetiracetam for ET. Continuous efficacy outcomes were pooled using standardized mean differences (SMD) with inverse‑variance random‑effects models. Binary adverse events were pooled using risk ratios (RR) with Mantel–Haenszel random‑effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Six trials were identified, including 67 participants. Levetiracetam was not associated with significant improvement in tremor severity (SMD 0.06, 95% CI −0.35 to 0.47; I2=0%) or functional disability (SMD 0.13, 95% CI −0.38 to 0.64; I2=0%). Patient‑reported global treatment effect showed substantial heterogeneity (I2=88%) with no significant pooled benefit (SMD −1.12, 95% CI −3.89 to 1.66). Physician‑rated global treatment effect similarly demonstrated marked heterogeneity (I2=87.2%) with a non‑significant pooled estimate (SMD −1.04, 95% CI −3.66 to 1.58). There were no significant differences between levetiracetam and control in gastrointestinal, psychiatric, or central nervous system adverse events. Conclusion: Levetiracetam does not provide consistent clinical benefit for ET. Current evidence does not support its routine use in ET.
Disciplines
Medical Pharmacology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System Diseases
Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Essential Tremor: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis
Background: Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder with limited therapeutic options. Levetiracetam has been proposed as a potential treatment, but published studies report inconsistent efficacy and safety findings. We performed a meta‑analysis to quantify the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in patients with essential tremor using pooled effect estimates. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed was performed to identify clinical studies evaluating levetiracetam for ET. Continuous efficacy outcomes were pooled using standardized mean differences (SMD) with inverse‑variance random‑effects models. Binary adverse events were pooled using risk ratios (RR) with Mantel–Haenszel random‑effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Six trials were identified, including 67 participants. Levetiracetam was not associated with significant improvement in tremor severity (SMD 0.06, 95% CI −0.35 to 0.47; I2=0%) or functional disability (SMD 0.13, 95% CI −0.38 to 0.64; I2=0%). Patient‑reported global treatment effect showed substantial heterogeneity (I2=88%) with no significant pooled benefit (SMD −1.12, 95% CI −3.89 to 1.66). Physician‑rated global treatment effect similarly demonstrated marked heterogeneity (I2=87.2%) with a non‑significant pooled estimate (SMD −1.04, 95% CI −3.66 to 1.58). There were no significant differences between levetiracetam and control in gastrointestinal, psychiatric, or central nervous system adverse events. Conclusion: Levetiracetam does not provide consistent clinical benefit for ET. Current evidence does not support its routine use in ET.