An Update on the Pathways and Aspects of Epilepsy Treatment Targets

Abstract

Abstract: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by spontaneously occurring seizures known for several decades. Despite the availability of current anti-epileptic drugs, including Phenytoin, Valproate, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Gabapentin, Vigabatrin, etc., a considerable 30 % of the epileptic population are drug-resistant to the available conventional medications. This suggests a need to find new drug therapy for the management of epilepsy. Moreover, prolonged use of a single drug or monotherapy can also lead to therapeutic failure owing to the inability of a single drug to exert the desired anti-epileptic effect. Hence, on the basis of the knowledge and understanding regarding the existing targets, novel agents having the ability to show therapeutic effects should be studied and investigated further. This article emphasizes the need to investigate and repurpose drug molecules for the management of epilepsy. The review elaborates on the potential targets, including Glutamate, EAAT (Excitatory nucleotide) Channel and mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) pathway. Moreover, the discussion on the EAAT (Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters), RAS (Renin Angiotensin System), NHE (Na+/H+ exchangers), HCN (Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide) targets and treatment approach has been supported by literature that sheds light on evidence which is validated via suitable preclinical and clinical studies.