Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
07:35
Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
Rufinamide for generalized seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
T Glauser1, G Kluger, R Sachdeo
1Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 2015, C-5, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. tracy.glauser@cchmc.org
Neurology
|April 11, 2008
Summary
Rufinamide significantly reduced seizure frequency and severity in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). This epilepsy treatment demonstrated effectiveness in a randomized trial, offering new hope for patients with this severe condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe pediatric epilepsy with treatment-resistant seizures.
- Existing treatments for LGS are inadequate, leading to limited therapeutic options and increased risk of injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of rufinamide as an adjunctive treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
- 139 patients (ages 4-30) with LGS received either rufinamide or placebo alongside their existing antiepileptic drugs.
- Patients had frequent seizures and characteristic EEG patterns.
Main Results:
- Rufinamide therapy resulted in a significantly greater median reduction in total seizure frequency compared to placebo (32.7% vs 11.7%).
- Significant reductions in tonic-atonic (drop attack) seizures were observed with rufinamide (42.5% reduction vs 1.4% increase).
- Improved seizure severity and higher responder rates were noted in the rufinamide group.
Conclusions:
- Rufinamide demonstrated efficacy in reducing seizure frequency and severity in patients with LGS.
- The drug was found to be well-tolerated, with common adverse events including somnolence and vomiting.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
01:14Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
01:13Seizures: Classification
Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
01:18Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
01:08Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers
Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...