Epilepsy molecular mechanisms

Identifying molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis will provide new targets for developing small molecules to prevent epilepsy 633... 

The epilepsies constitute a common, serious neurological disorder in humans, affecting approximately 60 million people worldwide. Well in excess of 40 distinct epileptic syndromes have been identified to date. Current treatment is only symptomatic except in uncommon instances when surgical treatment is possible. While available antiseizure medications target ion channels such as the y-amino-butyric acid (GABA)a receptor and voltage activated sodium (Na+) channels, current research seeks to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a normal brain becomes epileptic. Hopefully, this research will lead to the identification of new targets for which small molecules can be identified and used for prevention or cure of epilepsy. 

The potential use of eugenol in the treatment of epilepsy and cephalic has been proposed. Eugenol reversed epileptiform field potentials and spreading depression induced by KCl microinjection, presumably by inhibition of synaptic plasticity [49]. Depression of synaptic transmission by eugenol is also reported in CAl region of hippocampal slices [50]. Molecular mechanism underlying reduced synaptic transmission is yet to be discovered. 

Catterall W A. Molecular properties of brain sodium channels an important target for anticonvulsant drugs. In Delgado-Escueta AV,Wilson WA, Olsen, RW, Porter RA, eds. Jasper s Masic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, 3rded. Advances in Neurology, Vol. 79. Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Philadelphia, 1999, pp. 441-456. 

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