Antiepileptic activity of preferential inhibitors of persistent sodium current.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Evidence from basic neurophysiology and molecular genetics has implicated persistent sodium current conducted by voltage-gated sodium (NaV ) channels as a contributor to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Many antiepileptic drugs target NaV channels and modulate neuronal excitability, mainly by a use-dependent block of transient sodium current, although suppression of persistent current may also contribute to the efficacy of these drugs. We hypothesized that a drug or compound capable of preferential inhibition of persistent sodium current would have antiepileptic activity.

Methods

We examined the antiepileptic activity of two selective persistent sodium current blockers ranolazine, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for treatment of angina pectoris

SUBMITTER: Anderson LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4126848 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature