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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: 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...
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: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers, a class of antiepileptic drugs, regulate the flow of calcium ions within neurons.
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 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

Novel medications for epilepsy.

Cinzia Fattore1, Emilio Perucca

  • 1National Neurological Institute IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.

Drugs
|November 1, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, and retigabine offer adjunctive treatment for focal seizures. These novel AEDs show comparable efficacy but have distinct adverse effect profiles and drug interaction potentials.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Pharmacoresistant epilepsy remains a significant challenge despite new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
  • Existing AEDs have limitations regarding adverse effects and drug-drug interactions.
  • There is a continuous need for more effective and better-tolerated epilepsy treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pharmacological and clinical profiles of three recently approved AEDs: lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, and retigabine.
  • To evaluate their efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties for adjunctive treatment of focal seizures in adults.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pharmacological data and clinical trial results for lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, and retigabine.
  • Analysis of efficacy (responder rates), adverse events, and pharmacokinetic interactions from Phase III trials.
  • Comparison of these novel agents with placebo and existing treatment paradigms.

Main Results:

  • Lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, and retigabine are indicated for adjunctive treatment of focal seizures in adults.
  • All three drugs demonstrated comparable responder rates in Phase III trials (33-44% vs. 13-26% for placebo).
  • Common adverse events included dizziness, diplopia, nausea, somnolence, and fatigue; pharmacokinetic interactions appear modest.

Conclusions:

  • Lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, and retigabine represent new options for adjunctive therapy in adult focal epilepsy.
  • Their distinct mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic profiles, and safety data contribute to the evolving epilepsy treatment algorithm.
  • Further clinical experience will define their precise role in managing epilepsy refractory to first-line treatments.