title: Behavioral and cognitive effects of anti-epileptic drugs.
abstract: Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have a variety of mechanisms of action which are reflected through different anticonvulsant activities and behavioral effects. Two categories of AEDs are considered based on psychotropic profile. The first group is characterized by potentiation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurotransmission, and comprises of agents such as vigabatrin, tiagabine, and gabapentin. These agents are noted to have sedating effects ranging from cognitive slowing to anti-manic effects. On the other hand, the second group is typified by attenuation of glutamate excitatory neurotransmission and has activating effects including anxiogenic and antidepressant actions. Lamotrigine and felbamate feature in this latter group. Mechanisms of action, chief clinical indications, as well as behavioral profile including comment on chief cognitive effects of the newer AEDs are reviewed in accordance with this dual categorization. In clinical practice, assessment of an individual patient alongside consideration of AED behavioral profile primes for appropriate prescription according to patient mood profile, also permitting exposure of AED-induced behavioral disturbance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Birmingham and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, B15 2FG, United Kingdom. acavanna@ion.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Andrea Eugenio
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Cavanna
authors.forename: Fizzah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Hugh Edward
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Rickards
authors.forename: Dougall
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCorry
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000078328:Felbamate; D000077206:Gabapentin; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D000078308:Tiagabine; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014227:Triazines; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000078328:Felbamate; D000078308:Tiagabine