Administration of levetiracetam after prolonged status epilepticus does not protect from mitochondrial dysfunction in a rodent model.

Neuronal death and dysfunction occur after status epilepticus (SE), and is associated with mitochondrial enzyme damage. We previously showed, using the rat perforant pathway stimulation model, that levetiracetam administration (LEV; 1000 mg/kg intraperitoneal) during established SE reduces seizure severity and prevents mitochondrial dysfunction. We now show that administration of the same dose of LEV after 5h SE, does not protect from mitochondrial dysfunction.