Brivaracetam differentially affects voltage-gated sodium currents without impairing sustained repetitive firing in neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Brivaracetam (BRV) is an antiepileptic drug in Phase III clinical development. BRV binds to synaptic vesicle 2A (SV2A) protein and is also suggested to inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). To evaluate whether the effect of BRV on VGSCs represents a relevant mechanism participating in its antiepileptic properties, we explored the pharmacology of BRV on VGSCs in different cell systems and tested its efficacy at reducing the sustained repetitive firing (SRF).

Methods

Brivaracetam investigations on the voltage-gated sodium current (I(Na)) were performed in N1E-155 neuroblastoma cells, cultured rat cortical neurons, and adult mouse CA1 neurons. SRF was measured in cultured cortical neurons and in CA1 neurons. All BRV (100-300 μM) experiments were performed in compa

SUBMITTER: Niespodziany I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4359682 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature