Use of Antiepileptic Drugs for Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders

A.      Siniscalchi; L.      Gallelli; G.      De Sarro

Abstract

Many studies investigated the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in several neurological diseases other than epilepsy. These neurological disorders, usually, involve neuronal excitability through the modulating of ion channels, receptors and intracellular signaling pathways, and are the targets of the AEDs. This article provides a review of the clinical efficacy of both conventional and newer AEDs in hyperkinetic movement disorders. Some of these indications for AEDs have been established, while others are under investigation. The modulation of GABAergic transmission may explain the neuronal hyper-excitability that underlies some forms of hyperkinetic movement disorders. So, AEDs able to increase GABAergic neurotransmission may play a role in hyperkinetic movement disorders treatment. Therefore, AEDs could represent a useful therapeutic option in the management of hyperkinetic movement disorders where the available treatments are ineffective.

Keywords: Antiepilteptic drugs, GABA, hyperkinetic movement disorders, Antiepileptic Drugs, neurological disorders, epilepsy, bezodiazepines, carbamazepine, phenobarbital phenytoin, valproate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, tiagabine, topi-ramate, vigabatrin, zonisamide, gabapentin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, calcium channels, ethosuximide, felbamate, pharmacokinetic, hepatotoxicity, pharmacodynamic, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic, neurotransmission, voltage-gated ion channels, dystonia, chorea, Purkînje cells, anti-tremor, migraine, paroxysmal character, channelopathies, hemiballism, Myoclonus, brainstem, spinal motor system, rodegenerative syndromes, encephalitis, disorders, idiopathic, Lafora body disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, Hemifacial Spasms