Disease modification in epilepsy: from animal models to clinical applications

Several relevant animal models of epileptogenesis and biomarkers have emerged for evaluating the antiepileptogenic potential of an investigational drug. Although several promising candidate compounds and approaches have been identified in these preclinical models, no treatment has yet successfully navigated the path from preclinical efficacy to clinical validation. Until such an agent can move from preclinical proof of concept to clinical success, the need remains to continually develop and optimize preclinical models and clinical trial design in an effort to guide potential clinical investigations. This review describes several available models of disease modification and/or epileptogenesis, preclinical studies in these models and potential biomarkers useful for evaluating the efficacy of a potential therapeutic agent in the preclinical setting. The results that emerge from such efforts may then guide the clinical evaluation of a candidate compound. This review discusses some of the known limitations and hurdles to moving compounds found effective in these models to clinical practice, in the hope that knowledge of this information will facilitate the design and conduct of clinical studies and effectively facilitate the identification of a first-in-class disease-modifying or antiepileptogenic agent.