Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

385
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...
385
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

286
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...
286
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

508
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...
508
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

169
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...
169
Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

369
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...
369
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

319
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...
319

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Study protocol for a prospective, cluster randomised control, hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial to evaluate the Reduction Of Seizures through Education and Support: the ROSES study.

BMJ neurology open·2026
Same author

Advancing Mental Health Equity in Epilepsy: Social Determinants of Health Across the Lifespan.

Epilepsy currents·2026
Same author

Seizure Frequency Trends Over Time in Treatment-Resistant Focal Epilepsy.

JAMA neurology·2025
Same author

Digital Response Test in Epilepsy assesses interictal epileptiform discharge effects in real time.

Epilepsia·2025
Same author

Neurobehavioral Therapy Is Associated With Improvements in Social Functioning in Patients With Functional Seizures and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Journal of clinical psychology·2025
Same author

The spectrum of cognitive outcomes following admission to hospital for refractory status epilepticus (RSE): A scoping review.

Seizure·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2025

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

9.0K

Do psychotropic drugs cause seizures?

Margaret Gopaul1,2, Hamada Altalib1,2

  • 1Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Dept. of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, USA.

Epilepsy & Behavior Reports
|June 17, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Psychiatric comorbidities are common in epilepsy. This review details psychotropic medication risks, like antidepressants and antipsychotics, to guide safe patient care and minimize seizures.

Keywords:
AntidepressantsAntipsychoticsAntiseizure medicationsAnxiolyticsEpilepsyIatrogenic psychopathologyPsychiatric comorbiditiesPsychotropic medicationsSeizures

More Related Videos

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model
07:06

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

Published on: June 12, 2018

33.0K
Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
06:58

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Published on: June 25, 2016

19.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2025

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

9.0K
Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model
07:06

Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

Published on: June 12, 2018

33.0K
Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
06:58

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Published on: June 25, 2016

19.1K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epilepsy frequently co-occurs with psychiatric disorders, complicating patient management.
  • The relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric conditions is bidirectional, impacting treatment strategies.
  • Psychotropic medications are often necessary for managing psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex relationship between epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychotropic medications.
  • To inform clinical decision-making regarding the use of psychotropic drugs in epilepsy.
  • To elucidate the seizure risks associated with various psychotropic medications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of empirical evidence and historical perspectives.
  • Analysis of seizure risks associated with antidepressants, CNS stimulants, and antipsychotics.
  • Synthesis of current understanding on managing psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.

Main Results:

  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) carry higher seizure risks than selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which may have anticonvulsant properties.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) generally do not increase seizure risk.
  • Clozapine, an antipsychotic, presents a significant seizure risk, particularly at higher doses and during titration.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding nuanced psychotropic medication risks is vital for optimizing care in epilepsy patients with psychiatric comorbidities.
  • Informed clinical decisions can enhance patient safety and treatment outcomes by minimizing iatrogenic seizures.
  • This review provides practical insights for managing the complexities of psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.