[Stimulating amino acids in epilepsy: possibilities of treatment]

Stimulating amino acids (glutamine and aspargine) play an essential role in epileptogenesis. Activating receptors NMDA, AMPA, kainate and metabotropic influence a conduction of ion canals and a beginning, duration and extinction of epileptic discharges. Some of the new anti-epileptic drugs introduced in the recent years modify functioning of glutamine receptors subtypes. It is expected that they can also decrease a release of glutamines, amplify a GABA-ergic suppression and block sodium channels. Most information about these drugs in epileptogenesis was received in animal experiment which is an excuse for a lack of certainty in a parallel referring their mechanisms to the central nervous system in a man. Treatment resistant focal or general epilepsies and some epileptic syndromes are the most often appearing indications for using agents producing an effect on activating amino acids system. They are most often used in an added therapy, more rarely in a monotherapy. Some negative comments concern not very clear influence on cognitive functions, however some hope arises due to a potential neuroprotective mechanism being a result of a decreased glutamine release. The drugs blocking a stimulating transmission should be a good supplement for a present possibilities of epileptic treatment.