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Effect of Levetiracetam on Epileptiform Discharges in Human Neocortical Slices
Author(s) -
Gorji Ali,
Höhling JorgMichael,
Madeja Michael,
Straub Heidrun,
Köhling Rüdiger,
Tuxhorn Ingrid,
Ebner Alois,
Wolf Peter,
Panneck H. W.,
Behne F.,
Lahl Rainer,
Speckmann ErwinJoseph
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2002.23702.x
Subject(s) - bicuculline , levetiracetam , epilepsy , ictal , anticonvulsant , neuroscience , gabaa receptor , gaba receptor antagonist , anesthesia , chemistry , spike and wave , medicine , psychology , receptor
Summary: Purpose: The anticonvulsant effects of the novel antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam (LEV) were tested in neocortical slice preparations from 23 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Methods: Slices were used to evaluate the effects of LEV on two different models of epilepsy: low‐Mg 2+ –induced untriggered and bicuculline‐evoked stimulus‐triggered epileptiform burst discharges and spontaneously appearing rhythmic sharp waves. Results: LEV (0.1–1 mM) did not influence spontaneously appearing rhythmic sharp waves or Mg 2+ ‐free aCSF‐induced epileptiform field potentials. LEV affected neither the amplitudes or duration nor the repetition rates of burst discharges in these epilepsy models. However, LEV (100–500 μ M ) significantly suppressed the ictal‐like discharges elicited by the γ‐aminobutyric acid subtype A (GABA A )‐receptor antagonist bicuculline. A marked reduction of the amplitude and duration of bicuculline‐evoked field response in the presence of LEV was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate the potential for LEV to inhibit epileptiform burst discharges in human neocortical tissue, which is consistent with its effects in animal models of epilepsy. These results also support the seizure reduction observed in clinical trials and support that this may, in part, be related to the ability of LEV to inhibit epileptiform discharges.