Epileptic Targets and Drugs: A Mini-Review

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disease affected by an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory signaling in the brain.

Introduction: In this disease, the targets are active in pathophysiology and thus can be used as a focus for pharmacological treatment.

Methods: Several studies demonstrated the antiepileptic effect of drugs acting on the following targets: N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav), Gamma aminobutyric acid transporter type 1 (GAT1), voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav), voltage-gated potassium channel of the Q subfamily (KCNQ) and Gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receiver.

Results: These studies highlight the importance of molecular docking.

Conclusion: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and computer aided drug design (CADD) in predicting of possible pharmacological activities of these targets.

Keywords: AMPA; Cav; GAT1; KCNQ; Molecular docking; NMDA; Nav e GABAA.