Emerging drugs for epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy affects ≤ 1% of the world's population. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay of treatment, although more than a third of patients are not rendered seizure free with existing medications. Uncontrolled epilepsy is associated with increased mortality and physical injuries, and a range of psychosocial morbidities, posing a substantial economic burden on individuals and society. Limitations of the present AEDs include suboptimal efficacy and their association with a host of adverse reactions. Continued efforts are being made in drug development to overcome these shortcomings employing a range of strategies, including modification of the structure of existing drugs, targeting novel..