MODIFICATIONS OF DIAZEPAM-BINDING INHIBITOR AND PERIPHERAL BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS IN THE LYMPHOCYTES OF EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

Recent experimental evidence has suggested that peripheral benzodiazep ine receptors (PBR) may play a role in epilepsy and antiepileptic drug action. Since PBR are also present in circulating lymphocytes, and ma y interact with anticonvulsant drugs, this study was designed to look for possible modifications of these receptors and their endogenous lig and diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in the lymphocytes of epileptic p atients treated with various drugs. PBR levels were 50% to 80% higher in patients treated with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproic aci d than in controls and untreated epileptics. DBI levels were significa ntly increased in the lymphocytes of untreated patients, and showed on ly a slight further increase after anticonvulsant therapy. The possibi lity that PBR and DBI modifications in the lymphocytes of epileptic pa tients may be linked to the immunological alterations reported in thes e patients and/or may represent possible markers of neurochemical modi fications in the central nervous system is discussed.