Friday, May 05, 2017 2:03:22 PM
Epilepsy is not just about seizures. I view it as a spectrum of many different types of presentations. Epilepsy also involves personality changes, changes in cognition, changes in sleep, changes in coordination and mood, etc. Epilepsy can be classified into different categories: 1) focal epilepsies – there is a region of the brain or regions of the brain that are hyperexcitable and capable of seizing, 2) generalized epilepsies – whole brain involved with seizures, 3) epileptic encephalopathies – lennox gastaut syndrome, West Syndrome, Dravet syndrome, Rett syndrome – etc – that have both generalized and focal seizures, etc.
Treatment of epilepsy involves management of seizures as well as management of the mood/sleep/personality disorders that often times occur. At present, the goal of antiseizure drug treatment is to use medications that are either pro-inhibitory or anti-excitatory. In this sense, all of the medications must be able to cross the blood brain barrier and with this quality – many AEDs have some untoward side effects.
While epilepsy itself can create difficulties with cognition (most commonly short term memory loss, attention/concentration deficits), the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) contribute to cognitive dysfunction as well. For example, commonly prescribed medications for seizure control: phenytoin, valproic acid, zonisamide, topiramate, etc all are known to be associated with cognitive side effects. Some of the newer agents – lamotrigine, lacosamide, eslicarbazepine, levetiracetam, brivaracetam may have less effects on overall cognition.
With many refractory epileptic patients, dual, triple or more AED drug combination therapy may play a role in getting seizures under control. In this population, often times high doses of medications are used and with that, there are more chances of untoward side effects. The role of an epileptologist like myself is to find a good balance between optimal seizure control and side effects as the goal of care is to improve the quality of life for patients.
With Anavex’s approach, it seems that they would like to use 2-73 or 19-144 as an adjunct with lower doses of standard antiepileptic medications in order to potentiate the effectiveness of the dedicated antiepileptic medication, prolonging its effect at the channel/receptor it is meant to bind to, and allowing for further cell membrane stabilization in order to decrease neuronal excitability.
With this approach, it would seem that Anavex is making attempts to show efficacy with its use as adjunct to all antiepileptic medications. Perhaps – combining 19-144 or 2-73 with standard AEDs in a refractory epileptic patient may contribute to decreased seizure frequency and allow for improvement in quality of life.
Once more information is publicized by Anavex- I will be sure to make some time to discuss more about the science behind the medications relative to epilepsy care. I look forward to future progress by Anavex. Good luck to all longs!
Recent AVXL News
- Anavex Life Sciences to Present at the H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 09/03/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/06/2024 09:21:05 PM
- Anavex Life Sciences Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Financial Results and Provides Business Update • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 08/06/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Anavex Life Sciences to Announce Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Financial Results on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 08/01/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/30/2024 09:20:53 PM
- Anavex Life Sciences Announces Translational Biomarker Data for ANAVEX®2-73 (blarcamesine) in Fragile X Syndrome (Major Cause of Autism) at the 19th NFXF International Fragile X Conference • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 07/30/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Form S-3 - Registration statement under Securities Act of 1933 • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/29/2024 09:21:49 PM
- Results from Anavex Life Sciences Landmark Phase IIb/III Trial of Blarcamesine Presented at Alzheimer's Association Conference • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 07/28/2024 09:00:00 PM
- Anavex Life Sciences to Present at the H.C. Wainwright 5th Annual Neuro Perspectives Virtual Conference • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 06/20/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/17/2024 11:30:10 AM
- Anavex Life Sciences Announces Expansion of Leadership Team • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/22/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/17/2024 10:01:00 AM
- Anavex Life Sciences to Present at the H.C. Wainwright 2nd BioConnect Investor Conference at NASDAQ • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/14/2024 11:30:00 AM
- Shareholders that lost money on Anavex Life Sciences Corporation(AVXL) Urged to Join Class Action - Contact The Gross Law Firm to Learn More • PR Newswire (US) • 05/10/2024 09:45:00 AM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/09/2024 08:35:55 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/09/2024 12:00:30 PM
- Anavex Life Sciences Reports Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter Financial Results and Provides Business Update • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/09/2024 11:30:00 AM
- The Gross Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of Anavex Life Sciences Corporation(AVXL) Shareholders • PR Newswire (US) • 05/07/2024 09:45:00 AM
- Form DEFA14A - Additional definitive proxy soliciting materials and Rule 14(a)(12) material • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/06/2024 10:03:33 AM
- Anavex Life Sciences Corporation Sued for Securities Law Violations - Contact The Gross Law Firm Before May 13, 2024 to Discuss Your Rights - AVXL • PR Newswire (US) • 05/03/2024 09:45:00 AM
- Anavex Life Sciences to Announce Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter Financial Results on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/02/2024 11:30:00 AM
- May 13, 2024 Deadline: Contact The Gross Law Firm to Join Class Action Suit Against AVXL • PR Newswire (US) • 04/26/2024 09:45:00 AM
- Contact The Gross Law Firm by May 13, 2024 Deadline to Join Class Action Against Anavex Life Sciences Corporation(AVXL) • PR Newswire (US) • 04/19/2024 09:45:00 AM
- The Gross Law Firm Reminds Shareholders of a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of May 13, 2024 in Anavex Life Sciences Lawsuit - AVXL • PR Newswire (US) • 04/16/2024 09:45:00 AM
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