Epilepsy Medication

Question 1

Gabapentin is a medication that has analgesic and anti-epileptic properties. What is the mechanism of action?

Answer 1

• binds with subunit of Ca2+ on pre-synapse and inhibits the opening of the voltage gated channels
• no Ca2+ means no neurotransmitter will be released into the synaptic cleft
• no action potential in post-synapse

Question 2

Gabapentin is a medication that has analgesic and anti-epileptic properties. It is able to bind with subunit of Ca2+ and inhibits the opening of the voltage gated channels. Therefore, no Ca2+ means no neurotransmitter will be released into the synaptic cleft and no action potential in post-synapse. Why is this useful in epilepsy?

Answer 2

• in epilepsy brain activity becomes dysfunctional

- this drug can be useful at helping reset brain activity

Question 3

Gabapentin is a medication that has analgesic and anti-epileptic properties. It is able to bind with subunit of Ca2+ and inhibits the opening of the voltage gated channels. Therefore, no Ca2+ means no neurotransmitter will be released into the synaptic cleft and no action potential in post-synapse. Why is this useful in pain?

Answer 3

• COX-1 and COX-2 produce prostaglandins
• prostaglandins increase nociceptor sensitivity to pain
• even if the signal of pain is transmitted, gabapentin will inhibit/reduce the action potential, thus reducing the feeling of pain

Question 4

Topiramate is a drug that is used to treat epilepsy and migraines. What are the main effects of topiramate as an anti-epileptic drug?

Answer 4

• able to decrease Na+ and Ca2+ entering a cell and reduce chance of depolarisation
• increase Cl- influx into the cell, causing hyperpolarisation

Question 5

Topiramate is a drug that is used to treat epilepsy and migraines. In epilepsy there is an increase in Na+ and Ca2+ entering cells, causing repeated depolarisation. Topiramate as an anti-epileptic drug and migraine medication that can affect ion levels in the cells by acting on Na+, Ca2+ and Cl- voltage and ligand gated ion channels. What is the mechanisms of action of this drug?

Answer 5

• binds and inhibits voltage gate Na+ and Ca2+ channels on pre-synapse
• binds ligand gates channel on post synapse
• binds GABA receptors on post-synapse acting as agonist increasing Cl- influx into the cell

Question 6

Carbamazepine and Phenytoin are anticonvulsant medication that is used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. They have been shown to have a narrow therapeutic window and reduce action potentials at the post-synapse. What is its mechanism of action?

1 - bind and inhibit Na+ channels so no action potential and depolarisation
2 - bind and inhibit K+ channels so no action potential and depolarisation
3 - bind and inhibit Ca2+ channels so no action potential and depolarisation
4 - bind and inhibit Cl- channels so no action potential and depolarisation

Answer 6

1 - binds and inhibits Na+ channels reducing depolarisation and action potential
- act as an agonist of GABA and ensure depolarisation occurs less or not at all

Question 7

Sodium Valproate is an anticonvulsant medication that is used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. It have been shown to have a broad spectrum and reduce action potentials. What is its mechanism of action?

Answer 7

• binds and inhibits Na+ and Ca2+ channels reducing depolarisation and action potential
• binds and acts as an agonist on GABA receptors

Question 8

Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant medication that is used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. It have been shown to have a broad spectrum and reduce action potentials. What is its mechanism of action?

Answer 8

• binds with synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A)
• SV2A controls vesicle release of neurotransmitters at pre-synapse
• SV2A inhibits the release of vesicles and therefore reduces neurotransmitter release