Gabapentin for Kleine-Levin syndrome

Intern Med. 2009;48(13):1183-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.48.2204. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Abstract

We describe a 17-year-old girl with Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS), in which gabapentin was effective for the prevention of attacks. (99)mTc-ECD SPECT revealed hyperperfusion of the thalamus and nucleus accumbens presenting in the symptomatic period, suggesting epilepsy-like neuronal discharge from these structures. Treatment for KLS has not been established, although lithium has been used in limited cases with insignificant efficacy. Here, we report a case of recurrent hypersomnia in which gabapentin was effective for the prevention of attacks. We speculate that the recurrent hypersomnia and behaviour disturbance are related to epilepsy-like neuronal discharge from the thalamus due to dysfunction in GABAnergic receptors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amines / therapeutic use*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin