The anticonvulsant zonisamide scavenges free radicals.

Zonisamide (ZNS) is effective in animal models of epilepsy and epileptic patients. The free radical scavenging activities of ZNS were analyzed by using electron spin resonance. ZNS, in the mmolar range, scavenged hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests that the mechanism of antiepileptic effect of ZNS may involve protection of neurons from free radical damage and stabilization of neuronal membranes.