Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
Published on: May 16, 2019
Ethylbutyrate, a valproate-like compound, exhibits inositol-depleting effects--a potential mood-stabilizing drug
Abed N Azab1, Dhara V Mehta, John E Chesebro
1Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, 5047 Gullen Mall, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. azab@bgu.ac.il
Aims:
To screen for inositol-depleting valproate-like compounds as potential mood stabilizing drugs.
Main Methods:
We exploited the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model in which inositol de novo synthesis has been extensively characterized, to test the effects of ethyl butyrate (EB), 2-ethyl-butyric acid, sodium butyrate, and n-propyl hexanoate on inositol biosynthesis. Cell growth was followed by measuring the optical density of the cultures (spectrophotometrically), RNA abundance was determined by Northern blot analysis, intracellular inositol was measured by a fluorometric assay, and 1-d-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase activity was examined using a chromatographic method.
Key Findings:
Of the tested compounds, only EB exhibited an inositol-depleting effect. The inositol-depleting effect of EB was achieved without significant adverse effect on cell growth, pointing to lesser toxicity compared to valproate.
Significance:
These results indicate that EB is a potential candidate for mood-stabilizing therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
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: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
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...
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
