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Biomedical subjects

Collin A Hovinga

Publications and source records attributed to Collin A Hovinga.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Valrocemide (Teva/Acorda).

Valrocemide is an anticonvulsant agent under development by Teva and Acorda as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of epilepsy. In October 2003, a phase II trial using valrocemide as an adjunct therapy in refractory epilepsy patients had been completed and phase III trials were being planned. Valrocemide was also being investigated for potential utility in the treatment of bipolar disorder and neuropathic pain.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Seizure outcome after temporal lobectomy in temporal lobe cortical dysplasia.

PURPOSE: To identify the temporal lobe cortical dysplasia (CD) histopathology classification subtype and determine the seizure outcome of patients who underwent temporal lobectomy with coincident CD. METHODS: We reviewed the data of 28 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent surgery with pathologically verified CD at our institution from 1990 to 2000. The seizure outcome was assessed at a minimum of 1 year after surgery according to Engel's classification. RESULTS: Of 28 patients who underwent surgery, nine (32.1%) had isolated CD, and 19 (67.9%) had CD and hippocampal sclerosis (CD&HS). Twenty-six (92.9%) patients had histopathology subtype Ia (architectural abnormalities). Twenty (71.4%) patients were seizure free (Engel class I). Favorable seizure outcome (Engel class I, II) was achieved in 26 (92.9%) patients. No difference in seizure outcome was noted between patients with CD and CD&HS. CONCLUSIONS: The most common histopathologic subtype in patients with temporal lobe CD is type Ia (architectural abnormalities). Temporal lobectomy in temporal lobe epilepsy patients with CD can achieve favorable seizure outcome.

Adolescent↗

Tolerability and pharmacokinetics of oral loading with lamotrigine in epilepsy monitoring units.

PURPOSE: To investigate the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of oral loading with lamotrigine (LTG) among epilepsy patients after temporary drug discontinuation in an epilepsy monitoring unit. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study among epilepsy patients (18 years or older) receiving maintenance doses of LTG. LTG was discontinued on admission and restarted at the end of epilepsy monitoring. LTG was given as a single oral dose calculated based on the population expected volume of distribution (Vd, 1.0 L/kg) and target blood level on admission. Baseline and serial blood levels of LTG were determined hourly for 10 to 12 h after the loading dose. OUTCOME MEASURES: (a) frequency of patients with side effects; (b) time to maximum concentration (Tmax), maximum concentration (Cmax), actual volume of distribution, and half-life. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients received a single oral load of LTG (mean, 6.5 +/- 2.7 mg/kg). Overall, LTG loading was well tolerated with no serious adverse events or skin rash observed. Two patients had transient and mild nausea 1 to 2 h after the oral load. The mean estimated pharmacokinetic parameters are as follows: Tmax, 3.1 +/- 2.1 h; Cmax, 8.2 +/- 6.5 mg/L; Vd, 1.1 +/- 1.0 L/kg; clearance, 0.08 +/- 0.08 mg/L/h; half-life, 22 +/- 30 h. All patients reached their target blood levels. CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy patients temporarily discontinued from LTG can be restarted with a single oral loading dose. This was well tolerated, and therapeutic levels can be achieved within 1 to 3 h.

Administration, Oral↗

SPM-927 (Schwarz Pharma).

Schwarz Pharma, under license from Harris FRC, is developing SPM-927, synthesized by researchers at the University of Houston, for the potential treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain.

Amides↗

Novel anticonvulsant medications in development.

Epilepsy is currently the most prevalent neurological disorder worldwide. Pharmacological therapy remains the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment, however, refractory epilepsy is still a significant clinical problem despite the release of the second generation of anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsant treatment failures may result from lack of efficacy and presence of significant side effects. One rationale for incomplete effectiveness of the currently available anticonvulsants is that they were identified using the same classical models and therefore work largely by the same actions. These mechanisms fail to consider variations in the pathophysiological process that results in epilepsy, nor have they been shown to prevent the process of developing epilepsy (epileptogenesis). The next generation of anticonvulsants has taken into account the shortcomings of existing agents and attempted to improve on the currently available treatments using rationale drug design. This group of investigational anticonvulsants may be broadly classified as possessing one or more of the following: 1) increased tolerability through improvement in drug chemical structure or better delivery to the site of action, 2) new mechanisms (or combinations of mechanisms) of action, 3) improved pharmacokinetic properties. This article will discuss the next generation of anticonvulsants (carabersat, CGX-1007, fluorofelbamate, harkoseride, losigamone, pregabalin, retigabine, safinamide, SPD-421, talampanel, valrocemide) and the possible populations in which they would be clinically useful.

Animals↗