Status epilepticus during vigabatrin treatment: a report of three cases.
Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl-GABA or GVG) is an irreversible inhibitor of gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), which is an enzyme responsible for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) catabolism. Inhibition of GABA catabolism increases brain concentration of GABA, a neural inhibitor. GVG has been found to be a potent new anti-epileptic drug, especially in the treatment of refractory epilepsy, in particular of complex partial seizures. Three patients who developed a severe status epilepitus while on GVG treatment are reported. A possible proconvulsive effect of GVG is hypothesized, which might result from disinhibition in the nigro-collicular pathway due to increased GABA-levels.
de Krom
M C
MC
Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Verduin
N
N
Visser
E
E
Kleijer
M
M
Scholtes
F
F
De Groen
J H
JH
D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase; D020888:Vigabatrin