title: Antiepileptic drugs and the developing brain.
abstract: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in young humans. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which are used to treat seizures in infants, children and pregnant women can cause cognitive impairment, microcephaly and birth defects. Ion channels, neurotransmitters and second messenger systems constitute molecular targets of AEDs. The same targets regulate brain processes essential both for propagation of seizures and for learning, memory and emotional behavior. Thus, AEDs can influence brain function and brain development in undesired ways. Here we review mechanisms of action of AEDs, examine clinical evidence for their adverse effects in the developing human brain, and present studies on cognitive and behavioral effects in animal models. Furthermore, we discuss mechanisms responsible for adverse effects of AEDs in the developing mammalian brain, including interference with cell proliferation and migration, axonal arborization, synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and physiological apoptotic cell death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kaindl
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asimiadou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manthey
authors.forename: M V D
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turski
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ikonomidou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants