Developmental outcome of levetiracetam and the effects of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube development defects in early chick embryos

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the teratogenic potential of the antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam (LEV) and the effect of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube development defects. Methods: Forty-five fertile Hubbard Broil eggs, all at Stage 8 (four somite) of development, were divided into three equal groups: Group I embryos (n = 15), the control group, were explanted and grown for 18 hours in a nutrient medium (thin albumin). Group 2 embryos (n = 15) were explanted and grown for 18 hours in a nutrient medium containing 3 mg LEV for each embryo. Group 3 embryos (n = 15) were explanted and grown for 18 hours in a nutrient medium containing 3 mg LEV for each embryo and 0.4 mu g/mL of folie acid. Results: After the incubation period, 80 % of the control group had intact neural tubes; 60 % of Group 2 and 20 % of Group 3 embryos showed neural tube defects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that LEV may induce neural tube defects in early chick embryos and these effects can be prevented by folic acid.