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Investigational new drugs for focal epilepsy.

Mula, M (2015) Investigational new drugs for focal epilepsy. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 25 (1). pp. 1-5. ISSN 1744-7658 https://doi.org/10.1517/13543784.2016.1110144
SGUL Authors: Mula, Marco

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Abstract

For more than 30 years, antiepileptic drug development has been based on specific assumptions regarding the neurobiology of epilepsy but all marketed drugs have not changed the proportion of drug refractory patients. It is, therefore, evident that new molecular targets need to be identified. Advances in neurobiology and molecular pharmacology are bringing into the epilepsy field new neurochemical functions such as those modulated by cannabinoid, serotonin, melatonin and galanin receptors. Among all the different compounds, the melatonin type 3 receptor agonist beprodone and cannabidiol are those at the more advanced stage of development. Interestingly, despite the structural analogies with tetrahydrocannabinol, the anticonvulsant activity of cannabidiol is not mediated by an interaction with cannabinoid receptors. Neurosteroids represent another remarkable class of drugs, and among them, ganaxolone is at the most advanced stage of development. Furthermore, for the first time, potential disease-modifying agents and techniques are entering the epilepsy market. Rapalogues such as everolimus and the antibiotic minocycline are currently under development for specific epileptic syndromes like tuberous sclerosis or Angelman syndrome. Finally, optogenetics, though still at an early stage of development, represents a futuristic therapeutic strategy for drug-refractory epilepsy.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: © 2015 Taylor & Francis ISSN 1354-3784, e-ISSN 1744-7658. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or in part not permitted
Keywords: antiepileptic drugs, cannabinoid, epilepsy, everolimus, galanin, mTOR, melatonin, minocycline, optogenetics, rapamycin, serotonin, antiepileptic drugs, cannabinoid, epilepsy, everolimus, galanin, melatonin, minocycline, mTOR, optogenetics, rapamycin, serotonin, Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 1115 Pharmacology And Pharmaceutical Sciences
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: Academic Structure > Institute of Medical & Biomedical Education (IMBE)
Academic Structure > Institute of Medical & Biomedical Education (IMBE) > Centre for Clinical Education (INMECE )
Journal or Publication Title: Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
ISSN: 1744-7658
Language: eng
Dates:
DateEvent
4 November 2015Published
Publisher License: Publisher's own licence
PubMed ID: 26535466
Web of Science ID: WOS:000368023100001
Go to PubMed abstract
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/107800
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1517/13543784.2016.1110144

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