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PMID: 2667605 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Review

GABAergic mechanisms in the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy.

British journal of clinical pharmacology ·Vol. 27 Suppl 1 ·1989-00-00 ·Pages 3S-11S

Meldrum BS

Abstract

1. Evidence relating to the role of GABA in the pathogenesis of epilepsy is reviewed. 2. Impaired GABAergic function appears to contribute to seizure susceptibility in a variety of genetically-determined syndromes in animals, e.g. genetically epilepsy prone rats showing sound-induced seizures, gerbils with genetically determined epilepsy, and baboons, Papio papio, with photosensitive epilepsy. 3. In epilepsy secondary to a cerebral insult there is some morphological and biochemical evidence for impaired GABAergic function in experimental situations, but little definitive evidence in man. 4. Pharmacological approaches to enhancing GABAergic inhibition include the use of GABA agonists (or prodrugs), GABA-transaminase inhibition, GABA uptake inhibition, and action at the GABA/benzodiazepine allosteric site. 5. Experimental data suggest that the best prospect for potent anticonvulsant action with fewest side effects (myoclonus, sedation, ataxia) is at present offered by GABA-transaminase inhibitors or novel agents acting on the benzodiazepine receptor site.

MeSH Terms
Animals Epilepsy/drug therapy,etiology,physiopathology Humans gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/physiology
Chemicals
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Meldrum B S
Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, London.
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61 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
British journal of clinical pharmacology
Abbr.
Br J Clin Pharmacol
ISSN
0306-5251
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2125.1989.tb03454.x
Published
1989-00-00
Pages
3S-11S
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
7503323
PMCID
PMC1379672
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1989.tb03454.x PMC Full Text View journal details
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