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Anti-Epileptic Drug May Prevent Early Plaque Formation in Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists at Northwestern University identified that the toxic amyloid‑beta 42 peptide accumulates inside neuronal synaptic vesicles and that the FDA‑approved anti‑epileptic drug levetiracetam can halt this process. By binding to the SV2A protein, levetiracetam alters APP trafficking, keeping the precursor on the cell surface and preventing amyloidogenic cleavage. The effect was demonstrated in animal models, cultured human neurons, and brain tissue from high‑risk patients, including individuals with Down syndrome. Clinical data analysis suggests levetiracetam users experience a modest delay in cognitive decline and survival compared with controls.