Levetiracetam-loaded biodegradable polymer implants in the tetanus toxin model of temporal lobe epilepsy in rats.
Approximately one-third of people with epilepsy receive insufficient benefit from currently available anticonvulsant medication, and some evidence suggests that this may be due to a lack of effective penetration into brain parenchyma. The current study investigated the ability of biodegradable polymer implants loaded with levetiracetam to ameliorate seizures following implantation above the motor cortex in the tetanus toxin model of temporal lobe epilepsy in rats. The implants led to significantly shorter seizures and a trend towards fewer seizures for up to 1 week. The results of this study indicate that drug-eluting polymer implants represent a promising evolving treatment option for intractable epilepsy. Future research is warranted to investigate issues of device longevity and implantation site.
Centre for Clinical Neurosciences and Neurological Research, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, P.O. Box 2900, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia. amyjhalliday@gmail.com
Amy J
AJ
Halliday
Toni E
TE
Campbell
Timothy S
TS
Nelson
Karen J
KJ
McLean
Gordon G
GG
Wallace
Mark J
MJ
Cook
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009498:Neurotoxins; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam