Neuropeptide receptors as potential antiepileptic drug targets: focus on the ghrelin axis

Authors: Jeanelle Portelli

Corresponding: Jeanelle Portelli (jeanelle.portelli@vub.ac.be)

Keywords: none

Doi: http://dx.medra.org/10.7423/XJENZA.2014.1.01

Issue: Xjenza Online Vol. 2 Iss. 1 - March 2014

Abstract:
Epilepsy is a very serious neurological disorder which is often underrepresented. Around 50 million indi- viduals worldwide have active epilepsy with recurrent seizures and in spite of the medical advances over the years, 30% of these patients remain as drug resistant (Pati and Alexopoulos, 2010). Even after several years of research, there is still a lack of good understanding on the pathophysiology of seizure disorders (Perucca, 2011). Investigators in this eld believe that there is a great need for novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that act differently than the drugs available on the market. The majority of AEDs act by blocking sodium chan- nels (phenytoin, carbamazepine) or by the augment of GABAergic transmission (phenobarbital, valproic acid). A newer generation of AEDs has expanded therapeutic options, however these are not superior to the older drugs (Hitiris and Brodie, 2006). Patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) are among the most pharmacoresistant to these medications (Pati and Alex- opoulos, 2010).

Download Article: