Cognitive effects of adjunctive perampanel for partial‐onset seizures: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: Assess cognitive effects of adjunctive perampanel in adolescents. METHODS: In this double‐blind study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01161524), patients aged 12 to <18 years with partial‐onset seizures despite receiving 1–3 antiepileptic drugs were randomized (2:1) to perampanel or placebo. Perampanel was increased weekly in 2‐mg increments to 8–12 mg/day (6‐week titration; 13‐week maintenance). Changes in neuropsychological outcomes were assessed at end of maintenance: Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) System Global Cognition Score (primary end point), five CDR System domain T‐scores (secondary end points), letter fluency, category fluency, and Lafayette Grooved Pegboard Test (LGPT). RESULTS: One hundred thirty‐three patients were randomized. In the full analysis set, there were no differences of perampanel (n = 79) vs. placebo (n = 44) in CDR System Global Cognition Score (least squares mean change, −0.6 vs. 1.6; p = 0.145), Quality of Working Memory (1.1 vs. 2.0; p = 0.579), or Power of Attention (−6.9 vs. −2.7; p = 0.219). There were small differences with perampanel vs. placebo in other CDR System domains: improvements in Quality of Episodic Memory (3.0 vs. −1.2; p = 0.012), and worsening in Continuity of Attention (−3.3 vs. 1.6; p = 0.013) and Speed of Memory (0.3 vs. 7.0; p = 0.032). Letter fluency, category fluency, and LGPT were not significantly different between groups. The most frequent adverse events with perampanel were dizziness (30.6%) and somnolence (15.3%). SIGNIFICANCE: Perampanel did not differ from placebo in the global cognitive score, two of five subdomains, and four other cognitive measures. Perampanel was worse on two and better on one subdomain.