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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
Mechanism of action of newer anticonvulsants
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA. swhite@hsc.utah.edu
Abstract:
Bipolar disorder, like epilepsy, is episodic in nature. It should not be surprising, then, that anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and valproate have proven efficacy as mood stabilizers. The newer anticonvulsants-agents like lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, and zonisamide-may also be effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Identifying an anticonvulsant for use in bipolar disorder should take into account not only the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder but also the mechanism of action of the anticonvulsant. This article will explore the mechanisms of action of the newer anticonvulsants and their relationship to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder in an attempt to determine which of these agents might make effective mood stabilizers.
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