Title:Neuroprotective Properties of Antiepileptics: What are the Implications
for Psychiatric Disorders?
Volume: 31
Issue: 23
Author(s): Liliana Dell'Osso, Benedetta Nardi*, Leonardo Massoni, Davide Gravina, Francesca Benedetti, Ivan Mirko Cremone and Barbara Carpita
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
Keywords:
Antiepileptic drugs, neuroprotection, valproate, gabapentin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate.
Abstract: Since the discovery of the first antiepileptic compound, increasing attention has
been paid to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and recently, with the understanding of the molecular
mechanism underlying cells death, a new interest has revolved around a potential
neuroprotective effect of AEDs. While many neurobiological studies in this field have focused
on the protection of neurons, growing data are reporting how exposure to AEDs can
also affect glial cells and the plastic response underlying recovery; however, demonstrating
the neuroprotective abilities of AEDs remains a changeling task. The present work
aims to summarize and review the literature available on the neuroprotective properties of
the most commonly used AEDs. Results highlighted how further studies should investigate
the link between AEDs and neuroprotective properties; while many studies are available
on valproate, results for other AEDs are very limited and the majority of the research
has been carried out on animal models. Moreover, a better understanding of the biological
basis underlying neuro-regenerative defects may pave the way for the investigation of further
therapeutic targets and eventually lead to an improvement in the actual treatment
strategies.
