title: Mechanisms of action of anticonvulsant drugs.
abstract: Understanding the mechanisms of action of anticonvulsant drugs has been a major research effort of neuroscientists for the last three decades. Numerous biochemical and electrophysiological processes have been shown to be modulated by anticonvulsant drugs. However, clear correlations of these effects with anticonvulsant activity are often difficult to determine. Over the last 5 years, several major research areas have developed that shed new light on the mechanisms of action of anticonvulsant drugs. Although a complete discussion of all aspects of anticonvulsant research are not possible in the scope of this article, a description of benzodiazepine receptors, mechanisms involved in neuronal sustaining repetitive firing, and calcium regulation of neuronal function have direct bearing on neuronal excitability and ultimately on anticonvulsant drug effect. Each of these major research areas has opened new insights into our understanding of molecular mechanisms of how anticonvulsant drugs work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth Universtiy, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: DeLorenzo
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000502:physiology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015220:Calcium Channels; D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D011494:Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium