Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE GABA-TRANSAMINASE INHIBITOR VIGABATRIN

Fathi Mohamed Sherif*

ABSTRACT

In the central nervous system, several lines of evidence suggest that the well-characterized inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is involved directly and/or indirectly in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and some other disorders. Accordingly, deficiency in the GABA-ergic system activity in the brain should produce convulsion. Consequently, manipulation of the GABA-ergic activity seems to represent a possible treatment for epilepsy which has extensively been explored. Vigabatrin, an irreversible inhibitor of the catabolic enzyme of GABA (GABA-transaminase), is accepted as adjunct therapy of refractory partial seizures and infantile spasms. Although vigabatrin was demonstrated to be effective, its use is limited by the risk of retinopathy and associated peripheral visual field defects. Thus, this review highlights and assesses the accessible literature of the fundamental and clinical aspects of the GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin.

Keywords: Vigabatrin, GABA-transaminase, GABA, Epilepsy, anti-epileptic drug.