Epilepsy

Question 1

How do drugs binding to GABA receptor reduce seizures?

Answer 1

Increases effectives of gaba activation of gaba receptor. This increases chloride influx which results in hyperpolarisation. Less action potentials. Inhibitory effect on post synaptic neurone.

Question 2

How do drugs binding to sodium voltage gated ion channels reduce seizures?

Answer 2

Binding to neurones that are involved in the release of glutamate. Blocking the sodium channels reduces neuronal depolarisation which would eventually lead to less glutamate released. Less excitatory stimulation of post synaptic neurone.

Question 3

How do drugs binding to calcium voltage gated ion channels reduce seizures?

Answer 3

Binding to neurones that are involved in the release of glutamate. Blocking the calcium channels prevents calcium influx into the neurone which is required to promote vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. Less excitatory stimulation of post synaptic neurone.

Question 4

How do drugs binding to vesicle transporter proteins reduce seizures?

Answer 4

Drug interferes with vesicle fusion and therefore reduces exocytosis of glutamate thus decreasing the excitatory activation of the post-synaptic neurone.

Question 5

What are teratogenic drugs?

Answer 5

Drugs that can cause birth defects.