Abstracts

Rationale: Weight gain has been reported as a side effect of perampanel (PER) administration but has not yet been investigated. Intellectual disability (ID) is associated with weight change caused by administration of antiepileptic drugs such as valproic acid or topiramate. The present study analyzed the relationship between ID and weight gain caused by PER administration and predictors of weight gain. Methods: Seventy-four patients with epilepsy aged 16 to 80 years (35 women) were enrolled in this prospective study. Body weight was measured before and 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after initiation of PER treatment. The patients were divided into the no ID group (intelligence quotient >70), the mild to moderate ID group (intelligence quotient =70 to >50), and the severe to profound ID group (intelligence quotient =35). Results: Mean body weight of three groups increased up to 12 months. Weight gain at 12 months was significantly greater in the mild to moderate ID group than the no ID group (3.8 ± 3.4 vs. 1.5 ± 2.7, p = 0.014), but not significantly different between the severe to profound ID group and the no ID group. Body weight change at 12 months was correlated with the presence of mild to moderate ID (ß = 0.394, p <0.001) and PER blood concentration at 12 months (ß = 0.251, p = 0.042) by multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the pattern of weight gain during PER administration is associated with the intellectual level and PER blood concentration. Patients with lower intellectual performance tend to show increasing appetite with PER administration but weight gain might be reduced by caregiver control in severe to profound ID patients. Higher PER blood concentration might cause increased appetite or changes in metabolism. Funding: None