Antiepileptic Agents Overview

A brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affecting cognitive, psychological, and social aspects.

A brief episode of abnormal brain activity, causing a range of symptoms like temporary changes in consciousness, behavior, sensation, or motor function.

An event characterized by repeated or prolonged seizures lasting at least 30 minutes, where consciousness is not regained between seizures.

Types of epilepsy originating in specific areas of the brain, with symptoms related to the affected brain region.

Types of epilepsy affecting both sides of the brain, often with widespread symptoms.

A severe type of generalized epilepsy characterized by tonic (muscle stiffening) and clonic (jerking) movements.

Medications used to treat epilepsy, reducing the frequency and severity of seizures.

Drugs used to treat the onset of seizures, helping to stop or prevent the seizure from worsening.

The most common type of dementia, caused by the gradual decline of brain function, leading to cognitive, psychiatric, and behavioral issues.

A category of drugs that block the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for memory and learning. They are used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

A drug used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia. It is a member of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor category.

A type of dementia caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain, often due to stroke or mini-strokes.

A drug that blocks the action of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning. It is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia.

A type of antiparkinsonian agent that blocks acetylcholine (ACh) at muscarinic receptors, specifically subtype M1, in the brain. This action helps to reduce the extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) induced by dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal tract.

A disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to a deficiency of dopamine in the nigrostriatal tract. This results in the characteristic symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

A type of antiparkinsonian agent, specifically an NMDA receptor antagonist, that works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain. This action reduces the excessive release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory, and promotes dopamine synthesis and release.

A class of medications used to treat dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. They work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, increasing its availability in the brain, and improving cognitive function.

A brain disorder that affects cognitive abilities, causing impairments in memory, language, visual-spatial skills, reasoning, and problem-solving.

A group of neurological symptoms including tremor, slow movements (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness (rigidity), and problems with balance and coordination (postural instability).

A brain region involved in movement control, which is affected in Parkinson's disease.

A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in movement, motivation, and reward.

An imbalance in the brain's chemical messengers, particularly dopamine and acetylcholine, that leads to Parkinsonian symptoms.

A type of neuron that releases GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

A key treatment strategy for Parkinson's disease that aims to increase dopamine levels or mimic its effects.

Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease by either increasing dopamine levels or mimicking its effects.

The loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, a key brain region involved in movement control, leading to Parkinson's symptoms.

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania (elevated mood) and depression.

The ability of a drug to prevent or reduce the severity of seizures.

The ability of a drug to stabilize mood, often used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Ethosuximide is an antiepileptic drug used primarily for treating absence seizures, a type of generalized epilepsy.

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug that blocks voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels in neurons resulting in anticonvulsant activity and mood stabilizing effects.

Carbamazepine is an antiepileptic drug that acts by blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels, thus reducing the excitability of neurons.

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug that exerts its effect by inhibiting voltage-sensitive calcium channels, it is also used for pain relief.

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug that works by binding to a protein called synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), which is involved in the release of neurotransmitters.

Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug that acts on multiple targets, including glutamate receptors, sodium channels, and GABA receptors.

Valproic acid is an antiepileptic drug with a wide range of uses, but it also carries a risk of causing birth defects.

A set of measures taken to monitor a drug's safety after it has been released to the market.

A type of antiepileptic drug that works by reducing excessive neuronal activity by blocking the effects of glutamate at the synapse.

A sub-type of glutamate receptor that plays a role in excitatory synaptic transmission.

A sub-type of glutamate receptor that plays a role in learning and memory (synaptic plasticity) and is involved in excitotoxicity.

Antiepileptic drugs that block the N-type, T-type and P/Q-type calcium channels in neurons. These channels are responsible for the influx of calcium into the cell, which plays a role in neurotransmitter release and neuronal firing.

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in inhibiting neuronal activity.

A type of receptor that binds GABA, leading to inhibition of neuronal activity.

An enzyme that breaks down GABA, reducing its effect on the brain.

A protein involved in the synaptic vesicle cycle and may be a target of antiepileptic drugs.

A type of seizure characterized by the absence of obvious physical symptoms, which may appear as daydreaming or staring.

A type of antiepileptic drug that works primarily by blocking the effects of sodium ions (Na+) which are needed for nerve impulses to be transported.

A type of antiepileptic drug that works by enhancing the effect of GABA by binding to the GABA A receptor.

A type of antiepileptic drug that works by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down GABA.