“New Study Examines Long-Term Benefits of Perampanel for Managing Severe Epilepsy in Children and Adults”
A recent study explored the long-term effects of a medication called perampanel for patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a severe form of epilepsy that often leads to frequent, uncontrolled seizures. The study involved patients aged two and older, all of whom were already on one to four other epilepsy medications but still experiencing at least two significant seizure episodes, known as “drop seizures,” each week. Researchers wanted to assess whether adding perampanel could help reduce those drop seizures over a long period.
The study took place in two parts: an initial 18-week phase where participants were randomly assigned to receive either perampanel or a placebo (a sugar pill), followed by an open-label extension lasting over a year. They found that while the initial results showed a more significant drop in seizure frequency for those taking perampanel compared to the placebo, the difference wasn’t statistically strong using the original definitions. However, when looking at a broader range of seizure types, perampanel showed a remarkable reduction in drop seizures by 48.6%, compared to a slight increase in those on the placebo.
After the extended period of treatment, the benefits of perampanel remained, indicating that it could reduce the frequency of seizures over time. In terms of safety, most patients reported some side effects, with drowsiness being the most common, but these effects were similar between those on perampanel and those on placebo.
Despite the study’s limitations, including a smaller participant size which might weaken the findings, the overall results were promising. They suggest that perampanel can be a useful option for managing LGS-related seizures, demonstrating both effectiveness and safety over a long-term period. This is encouraging news for families and caregivers of children with LGS, as it may provide more options for controlling seizures and improving quality of life.