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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...
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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.
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Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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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.
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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.
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Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
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Levetiracetam: a comprehensive review.

Amy Z Crepeau1, David M Treiman

  • 1Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. amy.crepeau@chw.edu

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|February 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug, is a first-line treatment for epilepsy due to its ease of use and tolerability. Research explores its potential for other neurological and psychiatric conditions beyond chronic epilepsy.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Levetiracetam (LEV) was approved by the US FDA in 1999, despite initial screening test failures.
  • It has become a first-line antiepileptic drug within a decade.
  • LEV is used off-label for status epilepticus, movement disorders, neuropathic pain, headaches, and psychiatric conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the discovery and development of levetiracetam.
  • To summarize animal and human data on levetiracetam's antiepileptic activity.
  • To discuss potential off-label uses, adverse events, and future directions in antiepileptic drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on levetiracetam.
  • Analysis of preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) study data.
  • Examination of case series and uncontrolled studies for off-label indications.

Main Results:

  • Levetiracetam demonstrates significant antiepileptic activity in both animal models and human trials.
  • Ease of dosing and good tolerability are key factors in its widespread clinical use.
  • Off-label applications show promise but require further investigation; it remains unapproved for indications other than chronic epilepsy.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam is a valuable first-line treatment for epilepsy with a favorable safety profile.
  • Its efficacy in non-epileptic conditions warrants further research.
  • Future antiepileptic drug development may focus on similar mechanisms and improved tolerability.