Driving and Social Issues in Epilepsy
The Regulatory Requirements The first seizure-related car crash was reported near the turn of the 19th century. Since then, regulatory authorities have placed restrictions on driving for a person with…
Gabapentin and Pregabalin
Figure 55.1. Chemical structure of gabapentin, pregabalin, and gabapentin enacarbil. The mechanism of action of gabapentinoids differs from that of other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Contrary to initial belief, they do…
Epilepsy in the Setting of Inherited Metabolic and Mitochondrial Disorders
For an up-to-date review of an individual metabolic disease or to find a lab where an analyte or gene test can be sent, we recommend visiting the NIH GeneReviews site…
Perampanel
Figure 59.1. 2-(2-oxo-1-phenyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-1,2-dihydropyridin-3-yl) benzonitrile hydrate, M.W. 349.38 (perampanel). PERAMPANEL PHARMACOLOGY Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Fast glutaminergic transmission is mediated predominantly by NMDA and AMPA receptors…
Levetiracetam
Figure 58.1. The chemical structure of LEV. MECHANISM OF ACTION Prior to undergoing standardized AED testing by the National Institutes of Health, LEV was found to have antiepileptic properties. In…
Other Nonepileptic Paroxysmal Disorders
The following overview of nonepileptic paroxysmal disorders is organized by age, type, and time of occurrence. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are discussed in Chapter 40. INFANCY Sleep During infancy, at least…
