Objective: To measure the effects of topiramate on brain gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) in patients with epilepsy. Background: Topiramate is a new ant
iepileptic medication with multiple putative mechanisms of action. In a rec
ent meta-analysis of the newer antiepileptic drugs, topiramate was the most
potent. Homocarnosine and pyrrolidinone are important metabolites of GABA
with antiepileptic actions. Methods: In vivo measurements of GABA, homocarn
osine, and pyrrolidinone were made of a 14-cm(3) volume in the occipital co
rtex using IH spectroscopy with a 2.1-Tesla magnetic resonance spectrometer
and an 8-cm surface coil. Twelve patients (eight women) with refractory co
mplex partial seizures were studied while using topiramate. Nine epilepsy-f
ree, drug-free volunteers served as control subjects. Results: Topiramate i
ncreased mean brain GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone concentrations i
n all patients. In paired measurements, brain GABA increased by 0.7 mu mol/
g (SD 0.3, n 7, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0, p < 0.01). Homocarnosine increased by 0.
5 mu mol/g (SD 0.2, n 7, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.7,p < 0.001). Pyrrolidinone increa
sed by 0.21 mu mol/g (SD 0.06, n 7, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.27, p < 0.01). In two
additional patients, GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone increased after
they were switched from vigabatrin to topiramate. Conclusions: Topiramate
increased brain GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone to levels that could
contribute to its potent antiepileptic action in patients with complex par
tial seizures.