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Epileptogenesis, Ictogenesis and the Design of Future Antiepileptic Drugs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Donald F. Weaver
Donald F. Weaver*
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Abstract:

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There is still no medical cure for epilepsy. Clinical epileptology is in need of a “paradigm shift” when it comes to the continuing development of therapeutics. An important first step in this conceptual evolution is differentiating between the notions of ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. All traditional therapeutics are anti-ictogenic, not antiepileptogenic. The future of antiepileptic drug development lies in the discovery of antiepileptogenics. Just as aspirin is not the drug of choice for meningitis, an anticonvulsant is not the drug of choice for epilepsy. Drug design for epilepsy needs to discover a penicillin, not more aspirins.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

Il n’existe pas encore de traitement médical curatif de l’épilepsie. L’épileptologie clinique aurait besoin d’un changement de perspective quant au développement de nouveaux traitements. Un premier pas important dans cette évolution conceptuelle est la distinction entre les notions d’ictogenèse et d’épileptogenèse. Tous les traitements traditionnels sont anti-ictogènes et non antiépileptogènes. L’avenir du développement des médicaments antiépileptiques réside dans la découverte d’antiépileptogènes. Tout comme l’aspirine n’est pas le médicament de choix pour la méningite, un anticonvulsivant n’est pas le médicament de choix pour traiter l’épilepsie. Ce dont nous avons besoin dans la conception de médicaments pour traiter l’épilepsie, ce n’est pas la découverte de plus d’aspirine mais la découverte d’une pénicilline.

Type
Article Commentary
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , February 2003 , pp. 4 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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