Hs. White et al., Topiramate modulates GABA-evoked currents in murine cortical neurons by a nonbenzodiazepine mechanism, EPILEPSIA, 41, 2000, pp. S17-S20
Purpose: These studies further investigate the ability of topiramate (TPM)
to enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition through a ben
zodiazepine-insensitive pathway.
Methods: Topiramate (30 and 100 mu M) enhancement of GABA (1 mu M)-evoked c
urrents in primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons was studied by using
whole-cell electrophysiologic techniques. Results obtained with TPM (30 mu
M) were compared with those obtained with clonazepam (CZP; 1 mu M).
Results: Topiramate enhanced GABA currents in a subset of cortical neurons
tested. In addition, TPM enhanced GABA-evoked currents in CZP-insensitive n
eurons, and CZP was effective in a subset of TPM-insensitive neurons. Relat
ed studies in vivo demonstrated that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration
of either TPM (25 mg/kg) or CZP (0.012 mg/kg) increases pentylenetetrazol (
PTZ) seizure threshold. This effect of CZP, but not TPM, was reversed by th
e benzodiazepine (BZD) antagonist flumazenil (FMZ; 40 mg/kg, i.p.).
Conclusions: These results indicate that GABA(A)-receptor sensitivity to TP
M is not dependent on the presence of BZD sensitivity. Enhancement of GABA-
mediated inhibition through a BZD-insensitive pathway may represent one mec
hanism through which TPM exerts its anticonvulsant action.