Biomedical subjects

Katarzyna Wojtal

Publications and source records attributed to Katarzyna Wojtal.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Is nitric oxide involved in the anticonvulsant action of antiepileptic drugs?

Experimental data indicate that nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. It is also possible that NO-mediated events are involved in the expression of the anticonvulsant action of some antiepileptics. The aim of this review was to assemble current literature data on the role of NO in the anticonvulsant action of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The influence of various NO synthase inhibitors (NOSI) on antiseizure activity of AEDs was tested in many animal experimental models of epilepsy (electrically and pharmacologically evoked seizures, sound-induced convulsions, amygdala-kindled seizures). Although some NOSI were able to modify the anticonvulsive properties of AEDs, the involvement of NO pathway in the mechanisms of action of AEDs in most cases does not seem probable, since the effects of NOSI were not reversed by L-arginine, a NO precursor.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Calcium modulation in epilepsy.

The ideal antiepileptic drug (AED) should correct the aberrant pathophysiology of epileptogenesis without interfering with normal neurotransmission A new group of drugs with antiepileptic efficacy, without sedative properties, would be an exciting prospect. Theoretical considerations and results from experimental animal models of epilepsy have put forward the possibility that calcium (Ca2+) antagonists may form such a group. The initiation of epileptogenic activity in the neuron is thought to be connected with the phenomenon known as "intrinsic burst firing", which is activated by an inward Ca2+ current. Ca2+ is described as the primary mediator of "excitotoxic" neuronal damage. Both necrotic and apoptotic cell death is associated with Ca2+ entry into the cells during status epilepticus. The Ca2+ channel blockers depressed epileptic depolarizations of neurons. In this review, we present anticonvulsant effects of cinnarizine, flunarizine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nicardipine, amlodipine, isradipine, niguldipine, diltiazem, verapamil and dantrolene in animal models of seizures. Also, a detailed analysis of interactions between Ca2+ blockers and AEDs was performed. Clinical trials in intractable epilepsy support to a certain degree antiepileptic properties of Ca2+ antagonists.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stiripentol. A novel antiepileptic drug.

Epilepsy is one of the most widespread pathologies of human brain, affecting approximately 1% of world population. Despite the development of new methods of seizure control, chronic administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remains the treatment of choice. Nevertheless, pharmacotherapy is not always effective. In the case of single drug treatment, the number of non-responding patients is as high as 30%. Moreover, chronic medication with currently available AEDs may result in severe side-effects and undesired drug interactions. That is why in recent years intensive research has been carried out aiming at the development of new therapeutic strategies in epilepsy. The goal of this review is to assemble current literature data on stiripentol (STP), a novel anticonvulsant unrelated to any other AEDs. STP potentiates central gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission and is characterized by nonlinear pharmacokinetics and inhibition of liver microsomal enzymes. STP has proved its anticonvulsant potency in different types of animal seizures, as well as in clinical trials. The drug seems a good candidate for adjunctive therapy in intractable epilepsy.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endogenous neuroprotective factors: neurosteroids.

Neurosteroids are a group of steroid hormones synthesized by the brain in the presence of steroidogenic enzymes. Specific neurosteroids modulate function of several receptors, and also regulate growth of neurons, myelinization and synaptogenesis in the central nervous system. Some neurosteroids have been shown to display neuroprotective properties, which may have important implications for their potential use in the treatment of various neuropathologies such as: age-dependent dementia, stroke, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Niemann-Pick type C disease (NP-C). This paper focuses on neuroprotection afforded by neurosteroids.

Alzheimer Disease↗