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Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

4.5K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

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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.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

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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.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
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Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

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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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Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

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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...
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Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

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In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
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Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
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Is carbamazepine a human teratogen?

F J E Vajda1, T J O'Brien1, J Graham1

  • 1Department of Medicine and Neurosciences, Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|November 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Valproate and carbamazepine antiepileptic drugs significantly increase risks of fetal malformations. Levetiracetam showed a lower risk, suggesting it may be a safer alternative for pregnant individuals.

Keywords:
Antiepileptic drugsCarbamazepineFoetal malformationTeratogenesis

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Assessing Teratogenic Changes in a Zebrafish Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
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Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pharmacology
  • Teratology

Background:

  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly prescribed during pregnancy.
  • Assessing the teratogenic potential of AEDs is crucial for maternal and fetal health.
  • Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the safety of various AEDs in pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk of fetal malformations associated with specific antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.
  • To compare the teratogenic potential of valproate, carbamazepine, and levetiracetam.
  • To provide evidence-based guidance for AED selection in pregnant women.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 2,635 pregnancies from the Australian Pregnancy Register.
  • Comparison of fetal malformation rates between pregnancies exposed to specific AEDs and unexposed controls.
  • Statistical analysis to determine the significance of observed malformation risks.

Main Results:

  • Valproate monotherapy was associated with a >5-fold increased risk of fetal malformations.
  • Carbamazepine monotherapy showed a >2-fold increased risk (p<0.05).
  • Levetiracetam exposure was linked to a lower malformation risk than unexposed pregnancies.

Conclusions:

  • Valproate and carbamazepine exhibit significant teratogenic capacity.
  • Levetiracetam may represent a safer alternative for managing epilepsy in pregnancy.
  • Carbamazepine's teratogenicity warrants caution when using it as a comparator for newer AEDs.