[Gabapentin: its mechanisms of action in the year 2003].

AIMS

The purpose of our study was to survey the data from the main research work published about the mechanisms of action of gabapentin.

DEVELOPMENT

In addition to an unquestionable Gabaergic effect, gabapentin is the first antiepileptic that has been shown to have an effect on the a2d subunit of the voltage dependent calcium channels and on hyperpolarization activated cationic (Ih) currents. Gabapentin also exerts an indirect effect on the voltage dependent sodium channels, slightly inhibits glutamate and reduces the excretion of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin.

CONCLUSIONS

Gabapentin has a number of original mechanisms of action with which to account for its effects in epilepsies and in many other clinical entities.