Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 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

Vigabatrin for partial-onset seizure treatment in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex

Daniel Friedman1, Miles Bogner, Kimberly Parker-Menzer

  • 1Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA. Daniel.Friedman@nyumc.org

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|February 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vigabatrin (VGB) offers a safe option for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients with difficult-to-treat partial-onset seizures. While not all patients achieve seizure freedom, many experience significant seizure reduction with VGB.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently presents with treatment-resistant epilepsy, particularly partial-onset seizures.
  • Vigabatrin (VGB) is established for infantile spasms in TSC but its role in other seizure types is less defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Vigabatrin (VGB) in TSC patients experiencing refractory partial-onset seizures.
  • To assess seizure reduction and adverse events associated with VGB use in this specific patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 49 TSC patients with treatment-resistant seizures.
  • Data collected from 1997 to 2010, focusing on seizure outcomes and adverse effects of VGB.

Main Results:

  • 24.5% of patients achieved seizure freedom or >90% seizure reduction with VGB.
  • Only one patient discontinued VGB due to sedation; 21 stopped due to lack of efficacy.
  • VGB demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Vigabatrin (VGB) may be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and optimize VGB use in TSC epilepsy.

More Related Videos

Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma06:15

Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma

Published on: October 27, 2014

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor05:54

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor

Published on: December 13, 2017

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...
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: 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...
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...
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...