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Related Concept Videos

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic 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...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic 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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic 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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic 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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
07:01

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Monotherapy for partial epilepsy: focus on levetiracetam.

Antonio Gambardella1, Angelo Labate, Eleonora Colosimo

  • 1Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia Catanzaro, Italy. a.gambardella@isn.cnr.it

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
|August 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an effective antiepileptic drug for partial seizures, showing good response rates and tolerability. It also demonstrates efficacy in generalized epilepsies and as monotherapy.

Keywords:
antiepileptic drugslevetiracetampartial epilepsy

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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
07:01

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
09:07

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Epilepsy Research

Background:

  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is a novel antiepileptic drug (AED) with an uncertain mechanism of action.
  • It displays a unique anticonvulsant profile in epilepsy models.
  • LEV is approved for adjunctive therapy in partial-onset seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Levetiracetam (LEV) in patients with epilepsy.
  • To assess LEV's effectiveness as adjunctive therapy, monotherapy, and in generalized epilepsies.
  • To review LEV's long-term efficacy, retention rates, and adverse effect profile.

Main Methods:

  • Review of five randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adult and pediatric patients.
  • Analysis of long-term efficacy and retention data.
  • Examination of studies on conversion to monotherapy and efficacy in generalized epilepsies.

Main Results:

  • Adjunctive LEV demonstrated responder rates of 28%-45% in refractory partial epilepsy.
  • Long-term studies showed 60% retention at one year, with 8% seizure-free for one year.
  • LEV showed efficacy as monotherapy and in generalized epilepsies with generally mild adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is an effective AED for partial seizures, with favorable long-term outcomes.
  • Its mild adverse effect profile and lack of pharmacokinetic interactions make it an attractive treatment option.
  • LEV offers a valuable therapeutic choice for managing various forms of epilepsy.