Mechanisms of action of new antiepileptic drugs.
Many new antiepileptic drugs have been developed to treat seizure disorders. The established antiepileptic drugs reduce neuronal excitability by promoting sodium channel inactivation, inhibiting T-type calcium channels, or enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-mediated inhibition. Several of the newer agents employ similar mechanisms, whereas others may enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic inhibitory systems or inhibit glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission, and may be neuroprotective or antiepileptogenic.
Macdonald
R L
RL
Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA.
Greenfield
L J
LJ
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid