Advances in neurology
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Advances in neurology · Jan 1995
ReviewMechanism of action of antiepileptic and antimyoclonic drugs.
Most drugs used to treat myoclonus are also antiepileptic. The main drugs are the benzodiazepines, valproate, and barbituates. Advances in the understanding of antiepileptic drug mechanisms of action have revealed two main patterns: increasing inhibition either through GABA or glycine, or decreasing excitation due to glutamate. ⋯ It is conceivable that in the near future we will be able to determine whether small mutations affect the structure and function of these molecules. In addition, the glimpses into the process of cell death and sprouting by remaining neurons in the epileptic brain, and perhaps the myoclonic brain, raise the possibility of designing regionally oriented drugs with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. The current developments in the understanding of the central neurons should allow for the development of exciting new pharmacotherapies in the future.