Innovative treatments for epilepsy: Venom peptides, cannabinoids, and neurostimulation

Antiepileptic drugs have been successfully treating epilepsy and providing individuals sustained seizure freedom. However, about 30% of the patients with epilepsy present drug resistance, which means they are not responsive to the pharmacological treatment. Considering this, it becomes extremely rel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroscience research 2022-11, Vol.100 (11), p.1969-1986
Main Authors: Lima, Larissa Silva de, Loyola, Vinícius, Bicca, João Victor Montenegro Luzardo, Faro, Lucas, Vale, Camilla Lepesqueur Costa, Lotufo Denucci, Bruna, Mortari, Márcia Renata
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use
Antiepileptic agents
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids - pharmacology
Cannabinoids - therapeutic use
Chemical compounds
Drug resistance
Drug therapy
Endocannabinoid system
Endocannabinoids
Epilepsy
Epilepsy - drug therapy
nanoparticles
neurostimulation
Patients
Peptides
Pharmacology
pharmacoresistance
Quality of Life
Seizures
Venom
Venoms - therapeutic use
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Summary:Antiepileptic drugs have been successfully treating epilepsy and providing individuals sustained seizure freedom. However, about 30% of the patients with epilepsy present drug resistance, which means they are not responsive to the pharmacological treatment. Considering this, it becomes extremely relevant to pursue alternative therapeutic approaches, in order to provide appropriate treatment for those patients and also improve their quality of life. In the light of that, this review aims to discuss some innovative options for the treatment of epilepsy, which are currently under investigation, addressing strategies that go from therapeutic compounds to clinical procedures. For instance, peptides derived from animal venoms, such as wasps, spiders, and scorpions, demonstrate to be promising antiepileptic molecules, acting on a variety of targets. Other options are cannabinoids and compounds that modulate the endocannabinoid system, since it is now known that this network is involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Furthermore, neurostimulation is another strategy, being an alternative clinical procedure for drug‐resistant patients who are not eligible for palliative surgeries. This article reviews the most innovative treatments for epilepsy, given the great percentage of drug resistant patients. The topics addressed include neuromodulation, peptides derived from animal venoms, cannabinoids and nanoparticles.
ISSN:0360-4012
1097-4547
DOI:10.1002/jnr.25114