title: Advances in pharmacotherapy: recent developments in the treatment of epilepsy.
abstract: Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system in which the clinical symptoms are recurrent seizures. An increased understanding of the underlying mechanism of seizures and more definitive diagnostic procedures have improved the care of the patient with epilepsy. An improved classification of various seizure types, including specific epilepsy syndromes has helped optimize use of the standard antiepileptic drugs. Research on the mechanism of seizures has led to new antiepileptic drugs. More definitive diagnostic procedures have led to more accurate identification of patients likely to benefit from epilepsy surgery. This review focuses on these areas.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Leppik
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000588:Amines; D000614:Aminocaproates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000078328:Felbamate; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000614:Aminocaproates; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D000078328:Felbamate