Initial observations on effect of vigabatrin on in vivo 1H spectroscopic measurements of gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and glutamine in human brain.
Recent developments involving 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic editing techniques have allowed noninvasive measurements of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human cerebrum. The additional information gained from GABA and macromolecule measurements permitted more precise glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln) measurements. Occipital lobe GABA in 10 nonepileptic, healthy subjects was 1.0 mumol/g brain [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-1.1]. Vigabatrin (VGB) is a safe and effective antiepileptic drug (AED) that irreversibly inhibits neuronal and glial GABA-transaminase. GABA levels were increased in all patients treated with VGB. With a standard dose of 3-6 g/day, GABA levels were 2.6 mumol/g (95% CI 2.3-2.8). Mean occipital GABA level measured in epileptic patients not receiving VGB was 0.9 mumol/g (95% CI 0.7-1.1). Gln was increased by 1.9 mumol/g and Glu was decreased by 0.8 mumol/g in patients receiving VGB as compared with patients receiving standard medications alone.
Petroff
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Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Rothman
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Behar
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Mattson
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RH
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005973:Glutamine; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin