Topiramate increases cerebral GABA in healthy humans.

UAB Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA.

Topiramate (TOP) is a novel anticonvulsant drug with multiple mechanisms of action used in the treatment of epilepsy. Measurements of cerebral GABA were obtained in six controls using 1H MRS at baseline and at 3 and 6 hours following the administration of 3 mg/kg of TOP. Brain GABA concentrations rose by 72% at 3 hours and by 64% at 6 hours compared with baseline (p < 0.004). This study demonstrates that TOP significantly increases human cerebral GABA concentrations in healthy individuals.

PMID: 9710056 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]