Epilepsy, a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures, is managed through the administration of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These drugs are fascinating to explore. They are especially important for monitoring EEG techs to understand in order to better care for our patients and relay valuable information to the providers. Anti-epileptic drugs interact with neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain, ultimately modulating neuronal activity to prevent seizure occurrence. Let's dive deeper into how AEDs affect neurotransmission:
Sodium (Na+) Channel Blockers:
A significant class of AEDs, including Valproic acid, Phenytoin, Topiramate, Lamotrigine, Fosphenytoin, and Carbamazepine, operate by blocking sodium channels in neurons. This class of drugs was discovered for use in epilepsy as early as 1857 when they found potassium bromide alleviated “fits”. By impeding the influx of sodium ions, these drugs reduce the generation of action potentials, thus mitigating neuronal excitability and preventing seizure propagation.
SV2A Blockers:
Another class of AEDs, exemplified by Levetiracetam and Briviact, acts as SV2A blockers. These drugs hinder the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, by preventing the binding of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) to the cell membrane. This inhibition of glutamate release contributes to the suppression of excessive neuronal firing.
Calcium (Ca2+) Channel Blockers:
Certain AEDs, such as Lamotrigine, Valproate, Gabapentin, and Pregabalin, function as calcium channel blockers. By inhibiting calcium channels, these drugs reduce the release of neurotransmitters like glutamate, thereby dampening excitatory neuronal activity. Ethosuximide, particularly effective for absence seizures, targets calcium channels to mitigate abnormal neuronal firing patterns.
GABAergic Mechanisms:
Several AEDs augment the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Tiagabine, a GABA reuptake inhibitor, prolongs the presence of GABA in the synaptic cleft, enhancing its inhibitory effect on neurons. Additionally, drugs like Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Diazepam) and Propofol potentiate GABA-mediated inhibition, further reducing neuronal excitability.
GABA Transaminase Inhibitors:
Vigabatrin, an AED used in the treatment of West syndrome, inhibits the enzyme GABA transaminase. By doing so, it prevents the breakdown of GABA, leading to increased GABA levels in the brain and enhanced inhibitory neurotransmission.
Glutamate Receptor Modulators:
Certain AEDs, including Ketamine and Topiramate, act as NMDA receptor antagonists, blocking the action of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. By inhibiting glutamate signaling, these drugs reduce neuronal excitability and help prevent seizure activity.
AMPA Receptor Antagonists:
AEDs such as Felbamate function as AMPA receptor antagonists, further modulating glutamate-mediated neurotransmission. By blocking AMPA receptors, these drugs attenuate the excitatory effects of glutamate, contributing to seizure control.
Medication Uses Chart - Common AEDs by Seizure Type (According to Epilepsy.com):
This detailed breakdown of common AEDs according to seizure types provides valuable insights for clinicians in tailoring treatment regimens for individuals with epilepsy, aiming for optimal seizure control and improved quality of life.
Medication | Uses/Seizure Type |
Carbamazepine (Carbamazepine XR or ER, Tegretol XR, Carbatrol) | Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Clobazam (Onfi® and Sympazan™) | Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Absence Seizures, Atonic Seizures, Atypical Absence Seizures, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Myoclonic Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Divalproex (Depakote) | Absence Seizures, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) | Childhood and Juvenile Absence Epilepsy, Absence Seizures, Atypical Absence Seizures |
Gabapentin (Neurontin) | Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
Lacosamide (Vimpat) | Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) | Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Levetiracetam (Keppra) | Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Myoclonic Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal, Oxtellar) | Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Phenobarbital | Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Rasmussen’s Syndrome, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Clonic Seizures, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic Seizures, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Phenytoin (Dilantin) | Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Pregabalin (Lyrica) | Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
Rufinamide (Banzel) | Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome |
Topiramate (Topamax, Trokendi) | Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Valproic acid (Depakote) | Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Myoclonic Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure, Tonic-clonic Seizures |
Vigabatrin (Sabril) | Infantile Spasms/West’s Syndrome, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
Zonisamide (Zonegran) | Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Focal Impaired Awareness or Complex Partial Seizures, Refractory Seizures, Secondarily Generalized Seizures or Bilateral Tonic Clonic Seizure, Focal Aware or Simple Partial Seizure |
In summary, AEDs exert their therapeutic effects by targeting various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. By modulating the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, these drugs help stabilize neuronal activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of seizure occurrence in individuals with epilepsy. Understanding the diverse mechanisms of action of AEDs is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving outcomes for patients with epilepsy.
Primary Source: Epilepsy.com
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