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Related Concept Videos

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: 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...
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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Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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Published on: May 16, 2019

Antiepileptics for aggression and associated impulsivity.

Nick Huband1, Michael Ferriter, Rajan Nathan

  • 1Section of Forensic Mental Health, Institute of Mental Health, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, Room B06, The Gateway Building, University of Nottingham, Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham, UK, NG7 2TU.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 19, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Antiepileptic drugs show mixed results for aggression treatment. While some drugs like valproate and carbamazepine were effective in specific groups, overall evidence remains insufficient for firm conclusions on their use.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aggression is a significant public health concern, often linked to mental health disorders.
  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may mitigate aggression by reducing central nervous system neuronal hyper-excitability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of AEDs in reducing aggression and associated impulsivity.
  • To synthesize evidence from placebo-controlled trials on AEDs for aggression management.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) up to April 2009.
  • Included were prospective, placebo-controlled trials of regular AED use in individuals with recurrent aggression.
  • Data extraction and analysis involved standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs).

Main Results:

  • Fourteen studies involving 672 participants examined five different AEDs.
  • Sodium valproate/divalproex demonstrated efficacy in specific populations, including outpatient men with impulsive aggression and adults with cluster B personality disorders.
  • Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin also showed effectiveness in reducing aggression in certain subgroups, though results varied across studies and populations.

Conclusions:

  • The current evidence base is insufficient to definitively conclude on the efficacy of AEDs for treating aggression and impulsivity.
  • While four AEDs showed effectiveness in at least one study, inconsistent findings and limited reporting of side effects necessitate further research.
  • The potential benefits of AEDs must be carefully weighed against the risks of adverse events, which were more commonly reported in the intervention groups.