Effect of brivaracetam on the anger levels of epilepsy patients. A prospective open-labelled controlled study

Purpose The rate of brivaracetam-related behavioural adverse events is a current focus of discussion. This study aims to assess the effect of brivaracetam on anger levels in patients with epilepsy, adjusted by mood symptoms, history of psychiatric disorders and seizure response. Method Prospective analysis of 37 patients assessed for anger levels (STAXI-2), depression-anxiety (HADS) and quality of life (QOLIE-10) before adjunctive brivaracetam treatment and reassessed 3–6 months later. A control group following the same protocol of assessment was used for 1:1 comparison. A high percentage of mood stabilisers were included in this control group. Results Brivaracetam was indicated for patients including focal onset (79%) and generalised epilepsies (21%). Nearly 60% of responders and no psychiatric adverse events were found. This was similar to controls. The overall results revealed that brivaracetam was assoiciated with better in anger levels, mood scores and quality of life at baseline. Prior use of levetiracetam or the presence of a psychiatric background did not influence the results. However, improvements in anger levels were seen in the brivaracetam responders. Conclusion This study shows that brivaracetam is not associated with an increased level of anger in patients with either focal or generalised epilepsies in the absence of psychiatric comorbidity. However, an improvement in anger levels is possibly influenced by a good seizure response.