title: Ganaxolone.
abstract: Ganaxolone (3alpha-hydroxy-3beta-methyl-5alpha-pregnan-20-one) (GNX) is the 3beta-methylated synthetic analog of allopregnanolone; it belongs to a class of compounds referred to as neurosteroids. GNX is an allosteric modulator of GABA(A) receptors acting through binding sites which are distinct from the benzodiazepine binding site. It has activity in a broad range of animal models of epilepsy. GNX has been shown to be well tolerated in adults and children. In early phase II studies, GNX has been shown to have activity in adult patients with partial-onset seizures and epileptic children with history of infantile spasms. It is currently undergoing further development in infants with newly diagnosed infantile spasms, in women with catamenial epilepsy, and in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. vnohria@aol.com
authors.forename: Virinder
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nohria
authors.forename: Earl
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; C105051:ganaxolone; D011280:Pregnanolone