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Related Concept Videos

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

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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.
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Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

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Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

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Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
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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...
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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings
07:31

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Published on: May 7, 2020

Lacosamide.

Emilio Perucca1, Uma Yasothan, Gilbert Clincke

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics and Institute of Neurology, IRCCS C Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy. perucca@unipv.it

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|December 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lacosamide (Vimpat) received European and FDA authorization in 2008 as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures in epilepsy patients. This antiepileptic drug offers a new therapeutic option for managing seizure disorders.

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
  • Partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization, represent a significant subtype of epilepsy.
  • Effective adjunctive therapies are crucial for improving seizure control in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the regulatory milestones for lacosamide (Vimpat) in epilepsy treatment.
  • To highlight the drug's indication for partial-onset seizures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of regulatory approval documentation.
  • Analysis of market authorization timelines.

Main Results:

  • Lacosamide (Vimpat) was granted market authorization by the European Commission in August 2008.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lacosamide in October 2008.
  • The approved indication is for adjunctive therapy in patients with epilepsy experiencing partial-onset seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Lacosamide (Vimpat) became available as a new treatment option for partial-onset seizures in epilepsy patients in 2008.
  • The regulatory approvals in Europe and the US signify the drug's recognized therapeutic value.