Epilepsy: the next generation drugs (a review)

Abstract

Epilepsy is a disease characterized by spontaneous recurrence of unprovoked seizures. Seizures and epilepsy are different disorders, and the terms should not be used interchangeably. It is not accurate to refer to seizures as epilepsy, although “seizure disorder” refers to epilepsy. Seizures are common and are treated in all branches of medicine. Approximately 10% of the population will have one or more seizures during their lifetime. Seizures are symptoms that occur in acute illness, i.e., provoked seizures, or in epilepsy, ie, unprovoked seizures. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are pharmacologic agents used to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. “Antiepileptic” drug is a misnomer, because these drugs are effective as symptomatic treatment of seizures, i.e., the symptoms of epilepsy, not as treatment of epilepsy itself. Recent discoveries in molecular biology and genetics have elucidated a genetic basis for some epilepsy syndromes, which will lead to new treatments. This review include new AEDs viz; Ganaxolone, Eslicarbazepine acetate, Fluorofelbamate, Huperzine A, Carisbamate (RWJ-333369), Brivaracetam (ucb 34714), 2-Deoxy-D-glucose, Retigabine, T2000 , T2007, Valrocemide, Tonabersat (SB-220453), YKP3089, Propyl isopropyl acetamide, JZP-4, ICA-105665, NAX-5055, Perampanel and Valpromide.