title: Effects of single doses of vigabatrin on CSF concentrations of GABA, homocarnosine, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in patients with complex partial epilepsy.
abstract: Vigabatrin, as a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg, was administered to 11 patients with drug-refractory complex partial epilepsy. Serial lumbar punctures were performed prior to and 5 times within the first week following treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of total GABA, free GABA, homocarnosine, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vigabatrin were determined as well as blood vigabatrin levels. CSF GABA, homocarnosine, HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations increased by 6 h after the single dose and remained elevated for up to 5-7 days. In contrast, CSF and blood vigabatrin levels were maximal within the first 24 h and were no longer detectable thereafter. Hence, these results are consistent with vigabatrin acting as an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transaminase and suggest that it may also increase biogenic amine turnover.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000614:Aminocaproates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002336:Carnosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D000614:Aminocaproates; D004151:Dipeptides; D012701:Serotonin; C005038:homocarnosine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002336:Carnosine; D020888:Vigabatrin; D006719:Homovanillic Acid