Introduction Perampanel (Fycompa®) is a new antiepileptic drug used as a secondary therapy in adolescents and adults who suffer from partial-onset seizures. Perampanel was identified via a focused discovery program at Eisai Research Laboratories in London and Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan (Satlin, Kramer & Laurenza, 2013). It is a selective, non-competitive antagonist drug and is the first in this new class of antiepileptic drug known as a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptor antagonist on post-synaptic neurons; thereby selectively preventing the transmission of seizures by blocking the effects of glutamate(Perucca, French and Bialer, 2007). Glutamate affects how electrical activity is spread in the brain and it is believed perampanel helps to reduce seizures by blocking this electrical spread to the brain (Plosker, 2012). This is a …show more content…
AMPA receptors are localized at a postsynaptic level and under normal condition transduce responses to glutamate, released before the junction across which a nerve impulse passes from an axon terminal to a neuron, muscle cell, orgland cell. In the brain, AMPA receptors are the most represented ionotropic glutamate receptors and mediate excitatory neurotransmission. Hypersensitivity and overexpression of AMPA receptors in human epileptic hippocampal and neocortical tissue has been reported and an excessive glutamate release has been observed during seizure activity. (Zaccara et al., 2013) studies Suggest that reducing the overstimulation of AMPA receptors via AMPA receptor antagonism can have an anticonvulsant effect and inhibit seizure generation and spread. In addition to their anticonvulsant effects, AMPA receptor antagonists could play an important neuroprotective role by preventing neuronal death and could elicit an anti-epileptogenic effect (Franco et al.,
Glutamate receptors (NMDAR and AMPAR) of the postsynaptic membrane are the initial triggers for LTP induction. NMDARs require the binding of glutamate and the co-agonist glycine, as well as depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane, to become activated and permeate Na+, K+ and Ca2+. Most of AMPARs contain GluA2 and permeate Na+ and K+. Glutamate binding to the AMPARs causes a Na+ influx into the postsynaptic neuron. This depolarization leads to Mg2+ block releasing from NMDARs. Glutamate binding and the Mg2+ removal opens NMDARs, Ca2+ and Na+ then flow into the postsynaptic neuron. Through repeated activation of the postsynaptic neuron, sufficient Ca2+ comes in and triggers a series of molecular events required for LTP
Previous data proposes impairments in synaptic proteins of specific NMDA receptors (GluN2B, GluN2A, GluN1), AMPA receptors (GluR1, GluR2), Calcium Calmodulin Kinase, Protein Kinase A/C, CREB (cAMP response element binding protein), signalling molecules of MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) – ERK (Extracellular Receptor Kinase), Akt (Protein Kinase B) etc (Minh Vu Chuong Nguyen et al., 2012).
Choosing an appropriate antiepileptic drug is the key to successful medical management of epilepsy in children. The choice of antiepileptic drug depends on several factors, of which the most important is accurate seizure classification. The other factors used to choose an appropriate antiepileptic drug include the side effect profile of the drug, The available age- and patient-appropriate preparations of the drug, Whether therapeutic levels are needed quickly or not (depending on the frequency and severity of the patient’s seizures), and the patient’s comorbidities.
There is a logical comparison between seizure disorders and bipolar disorder that is thought to explain the effectiveness of anticonvulsants on both disorders. An interesting anticonvulsant effect can be observed with the administration of lomotrigine (trade name Lamictal) which has stabilizing effects for both depressive and manic states while also providing therapeutic effects on depression (Stahl, 2013. p. 373). Many anticonvulsants are much more effective in the treatment of epilepsy but select drugs can be effectively employed to balance the cycling or reduce the intensity and length of
Trench Warfare is a type of fighting were both sides build deep trenches as defense against the enemy of the whatever side they are going against. It was definitely most commonly used during world war 1 one when all of the battles happened, there are many horrors to trench warfare because it was a great topic during this war and through it many soldiers experienced trench warfare.
Pregabalin, trade name Lyrica, approved for its anticonvulsant properties and to relieve pain in those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy. The chemical structure of pregabalin is structurally analogous to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system and functions by binding to α2δ voltage-gated calcium ion channel in presynaptic, inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, most notably GABA. By decreasing the amount of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in synaptic terminals, epileptic seizures can be controlled and prevented.1
Seizure disorders, according to the Mayo Clinic (2015), affect approximately 1 in 26 people in the United States. Persistent, or chronic, seizures result from a condition called epilepsy, a neurological disorder of the central nervous system. It can affect anyone regardless of age, but is more common during early childhood and after age 60. Given the number of people that seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, affect, it becomes helpful to gain a foundational understanding of the disease, including some of the causes, symptoms, and treatments available.
Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is a major health concern, constituting up to one third of epilepsies (1). They are determined by genetics and affects people of all sexes and races. Many IGEs are lifelong, and have an onset during childhood or adolescence (1). One drug that is used to treat IGEs is the barbiturate, phenobarbital (2). This medication is one of the oldest available antiepileptics, and is low cost and effective (2). However, there are some serious side effects of the drug which include somnolence, neuralgic pain, hyperactivity, hypotension, respiratory depression and impairment of fine motor skills (3).
Ting, T; Polli, J; Shangraw/Noxell, R. (2013). Anti-Epileptic Drug Research. Novel research on bioequivalence of brand-name and generic anti-epileptic drugs: Lamictal vs. Lamotrigine. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), Baltimore, MD. Retrieved from
The majority of neurons, at least within the central nervous system, contain both AMPA and NMDA receptors. Under normal conditions, the NMDA receptor is blocked by a magnesium ion,
The equilibrium constant, Keq, is fundamental to chemistry. It represents the ratio between quantities of products versus reactants in any chemical reaction at equilibrium. In other words, the magnitude of Keq will identify how the reaction proceeds. A large Keq means more products are formed, and conversely, a small value implies that more reactants remain.
With the increase of antidepressants being prescribed in the UK, in 2012, it reached over a half a million prescriptions. Some indications have shown with the increase of antidepressants is a rise in epilepsy/seizures, only a small number of researches have been done on people for “long-term” use. In the UK 1 in 100 people are diagnosed with epilepsy, the disorder is severe
There have been many silent killers that have concerned mankind since the dawn of time. It is underestimated and underdiagnosed but it is the most frequently prevalent neurological disorders. Epilepsy and all its forms is as much of a concern today as it was thousands of years ago. Our oldest description that defines the symptoms of epileptic seizures was written two thousand years ago BC (Magiorkinis E1, 2010). Epileptic seizures are the result of excessive and abnormal nerve cell activity in the brain. This puts them at an increased risk of death due to the brains abnormal control of secondary organ systems. The risk increases as people age. Worldwide the overall percentage of epileptic diagnosis encompasses nearly three percent of the population
Seizures occur in the body due to a deviation from normal electrical signaling. There are two different classes of seizures. Generalized “Grand Mal” seizures differ from partial seizures in that they, “constitute 30% of seizures, involve neurons bilaterally, often do not have a local (focal) onset, and usually originate from a subcortical or deeper brain focus” (McCance and Huether, 551). These types of seizures have a wide variety of onsets and affect both brain hemispheres, as opposed to the more fine-tuned, partial (focal) seizures. Partial seizures involve neurons unilaterally, begin in a particular region of the brain (one hemisphere), have a local onset, and can spread throughout the brain. In contrast to generalized seizures, in
Treatment for epilepsy is often focused on controlling the seizures with the least amount of medication as possible. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the class used to accomplish this. Some of the AEDs that are used most often are Clonazepam, Diazepam, Divalproex, Gabapentin, and Phenytoin. The most common side effects of these medications include nausea, vomiting, sedation, fatigue, and lethargy. (Kwan,1; Benbadis, 3-5; Huethers,637)