The Fifth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) took place at
the Dan Hotel, Eilat, Israel, 25-29 June 2000. Basic scientists, clinical p
harmacologists and neurologists from 20 countries attended the conference,
whose main themes included recognition of unexpected adverse effects, new i
ndications of AEDs, and patient-tailored AED therapy. According to traditio
n, the central part of the conference was devoted to a review of AEDs in de
velopment, as well to updates on AEDs that have been marketed in recent yea
rs. This article summarizes the information presented on drugs in preclinic
al and clinical development, including AWD 131-138, DP-valproate, harkoseri
de, LY300164, NPS 1776, NW 1015. pregabalin, remacemide, retigabine, rufina
mide and valrocemide. The potential value of an innovative strategy, porcin
e embryonic GABAergic cell transplants, is also discussed. Finally, updates
on felbamate, fosphenytoin, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarb
azepine, tiagabine, topiramate, vigabatrin, zonisamide, and the antiepilept
ic vagal stimulator device are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al
l rights reserved.