<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_joepi-2015-0013_s_001"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>One of the most common neurological disorders is epilepsy, characterised by recurrent spontaneus seizures. Although not fully efficient in ca 30% of patients, pharmacologic treatment of epilepsy plays an important therapeutic approach not only against epilepsy.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2015-0013_s_002"><h3>Aim</h3><p>To provide data on the mechanism of action, activity and neuroprotective efficacy in experimental conditions, clinical efficacy against epilepsy and non-epileptic diseases of major, classical and newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs – lamotrigine, topiramate, levetiracetam, valproate and carbamazepine).</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2015-0013_s_003"><h3>Methods</h3><p>A literature search for publications written in English, preferably published within a period of the last fifteen years, using the key words listed below.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2015-0013_s_004"><h3>Review</h3><p>The majority of AEDs possess more than one mechanism of action. They exert their effect by acting on various receptors (different types of glutamatergic and mainly GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors), neurotransmitters (mainly glutamate or GABA) and voltage-gated ion channels (sodium or calcium ion channels). All reviewed AEDs possess neuroprotective activity, the weakest being carbamazepine. Apart from epilepsy, AEDs may be also used in the pharmacotherapy of migraine, neuropathic pain, spasticity, psychiatric disorders and Parkinsons’s or Alzheimer’s diseases.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2015-0013_s_005"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>As highlighted above, around 30% of epileptic patients do not substantially benefit from AEDs. It is possible that rational combinations of AEDs, based upon experimental studies, could improve this outcome. The neuroprotective effects of AEDs may point to their disease-modifying activity.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionOne of the most common neurological disorders is epilepsy, characterised by recurrent spontaneus seizures. Although not fully efficient in ca 30% of patients, pharmacologic treatment of epilepsy plays an important therapeutic approach not only against epilepsy.AimTo provide data on the mechanism of action, activity and neuroprotective efficacy in experimental conditions, clinical efficacy against epilepsy and non-epileptic diseases of major, classical and newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs – lamotrigine, topiramate, levetiracetam, valproate and carbamazepine).MethodsA literature search for publications written in English, preferably published within a period of the last fifteen years, using the key words listed below.ReviewThe majority of AEDs possess more than one mechanism of action. They exert their effect by acting on various receptors (different types of glutamatergic and mainly GABAA receptors), neurotransmitters (mainly glutamate or GABA) and voltage-gated ion channels (sodium or calcium ion channels). All reviewed AEDs possess neuroprotective activity, the weakest being carbamazepine. Apart from epilepsy, AEDs may be also used in the pharmacotherapy of migraine, neuropathic pain, spasticity, psychiatric disorders and Parkinsons’s or Alzheimer’s diseases.ConclusionsAs highlighted above, around 30% of epileptic patients do not substantially benefit from AEDs. It is possible that rational combinations of AEDs, based upon experimental studies, could improve this outcome. The neuroprotective effects of AEDs may point to their disease-modifying activity.

Selected classical and novel antiepileptic drugs – mechanisms of action, neuroprotection, and effectiveness in epileptic and non-epileptic conditions

Journal of Epileptology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

IntroductionOne of the most common neurological disorders is epilepsy, characterised by recurrent spontaneus seizures. Although not fully efficient in ca 30%...

Selected classical and novel antiepileptic drugs – mechanisms of action, neuroprotection, and effectiveness in epileptic and non-epileptic conditions

Pubblicato online: 04 dic 2013

Pagine: 37 - 50

Ricevuto: 10 gen 2014

Accettato: 20 mar 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2015-0013

Parole chiave
antiepileptic drugs, clinical efficacy, animal seizure models, neuroprotection, mechanisms of action, non-epileptic conditions

© 2014 Magdalena Chrościńska-Krawczyk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Selected classical and novel antiepileptic drugs – mechanisms of action, neuroprotection, and effectiveness in epileptic and non-epileptic conditions

Pubblicato online: 04 dic 2013

Pagine: 37 - 50

Ricevuto: 10 gen 2014

Accettato: 20 mar 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2015-0013

Parole chiaveantiepileptic drugs, clinical efficacy, animal seizure models, neuroprotection, mechanisms of action, non-epileptic conditions

© 2014 Magdalena Chrościńska-Krawczyk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Parole chiave
antiepileptic drugs, clinical efficacy, animal seizure models, neuroprotection, mechanisms of action, non-epileptic conditions