Status epilepticus during vigabatrin treatment: a report of three cases

Seizure. 1995 Jun;4(2):159-62. doi: 10.1016/s1059-1311(95)80099-9.

Abstract

Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl-GABA or GVG) is an irreversible inhibitor of gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), which is an enzyme responsible for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) catabolism. Inhibition of GABA catabolism increases brain concentration of GABA, a neural inhibitor. GVG has been found to be a potent new anti-epileptic drug, especially in the treatment of refractory epilepsy, in particular of complex partial seizures. Three patients who developed a severe status epilepitus while on GVG treatment are reported. A possible proconvulsive effect of GVG is hypothesized, which might result from disinhibition in the nigro-collicular pathway due to increased GABA-levels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Status Epilepticus / chemically induced*
  • Vigabatrin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase
  • Vigabatrin