Seizure frequency and CSF parameters in a double-blind placebo controlled trial of gabapentin in patients with intractable complex partial seizures.

Gabapentin (GBP) is a non-protein-bound gamma amino acid which is not subjected to metabolic degradation in man. As part of a placebo-controlled double-blind study, patients suffering from intractable complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization were followed with lumbar punctures at baseline and after three months of GBP treatment (900 mg/day or 1200 mg/day). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analyzed for concentrations of GBP, amino acids including GABA, homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The results indicate that there were no changes in the selected amino acids, HVA, or 5-HIAA after GBP treatment. At steady state the CSF/plasma ratios of GBP ranged from 0.056 to 0.34, indicating that there may be some type of active out-transport of GBP across the blood-brain barrier. No linear relationship was observed between plasma and CSF levels in these patients.