[Dynamics of cognitive and emotional-volitional disorders in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy during the treatment with levetiracetam].

We examined 76 children and adolescents (45 boys (59.2%), 31 girls (40.8%), aged from 6 to 17 years (mean age 14.31 ± 0.3), with the diagnosis of refractory epilepsy using a clinical/psychopathological method and psychometric scales. Marked non-psychotic mental disorders of varying severity were observed in all patients. The patients were treated with levetiracetam in a dose of 60 mg/kg/day during one year. The reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures was achieved in 77.6% of patients. The significant (p<0.01) improvement in cognitive functions and speech were found in 81.6% cases. The treatment reduced stress and improved mood in 63.1% of patients.