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Neurotransmitter Transporters and Anticonvulsant Drug Development

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Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 56))

Abstract

Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission mediated by glutamate and GABA, respectively, plays a major role in generation of seizures. So far, emphasis has been placed on the GABA system in attempts to develop antiepileptic drugs. Tiagabine, a selective inhibitor of GABA transporter 1 (GAT1), is marketed for treatment of certain seizure types and serves as a proof of principle that inhibitors of GABA transport may be interesting in this context. The chapter describes the methodology available to investigate in detail the pharmacology of GABA transporters and design of studies leading to identification of drug candidates. Emphasis is placed on a possible role of extrasynaptic GABA transporters in seizure control.

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Acknowledgments

The expert secretarial assistance of Ms Hanne Danø is cordially acknowledged. The experimental work forming the basis of this review has been supported by grants from the Lundbeck Foundation (J.nr. 21/05 & R19-A2199).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Arne Schousboe

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  1. Arne Schousboe
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  2. Karsten K. Madsen
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  3. H. Steve White
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Correspondence to Arne Schousboe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Garland Avenue 2215-B, Nashville, 37232, Tennessee, USA

    Michael Aschner

  2. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques, Neurochemistry & Neuropharmacology, CSIC, C/ Rosselló 161, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Cristina Suñol

  3. Inst. for Health & Consumer Protection, ECVAM In-Vitro Methods Unit, European Commission JRC, Via Enrico Fermi 1, Ispra, 21026, Varese, Italy

    Anna Bal-Price

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Schousboe, A., Madsen, K.K., White, H.S. (2011). Neurotransmitter Transporters and Anticonvulsant Drug Development. In: Aschner, M., Suñol, C., Bal-Price, A. (eds) Cell Culture Techniques. Neuromethods, vol 56. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-077-5_22

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