Topiramate increases brain GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the effects of topiramate on brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND

Topiramate is a new antiepileptic medication with multiple putative mechanisms of action. In a recent meta-analysis of the newer antiepileptic drugs, topiramate was the most potent. Homocarnosine and pyrrolidinone are important metabolites of GABA with antiepileptic actions.

METHODS

In vivo measurements of GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone were made of a 14-cm3 volume in the occipital cortex using 1H spectroscopy with a 2.1-Tesla magnetic resonance spectrometer and an 8-cm surface coil. Twelve patients (eight women) with refractory complex partial seizures were studied while using topiramate. Nine epilepsy-free, drug-free volunteers served as control subjects.

RESULTS

Topiramate increased mean brain GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone concentrations in all patients. In paired measurements, brain GABA increased by 0.7 micromol/g (SD 0.3, n 7, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0, p < 0.01). Homocarnosine increased by 0.5 micromol/g (SD 0.2, n 7, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.7, p < 0.001). Pyrrolidinone increased by 0.21 micromol/g (SD 0.06, n 7, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.27, p < 0.01). In two additional patients, GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone increased after they were switched from vigabatrin to topiramate.

CONCLUSIONS

Topiramate increased brain GABA, homocarnosine, and pyrrolidinone to levels that could contribute to its potent antiepileptic action in patients with complex partial seizures.