ABSTRACT
Epilepsy is a condition of the brain characterized by the periodic and unpredictable occurrence of seizures. Even with optimal current antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy, about one-third of patients have poor seizure control and become medically refractory. Many AEDs act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants and must be taken chronically for seizure suppression, which often leads to marked side effects on cognition. Thus, there is a need for the development of more speci¡c AEDs that may target functional abnormalities responsible for epilepsy but avoid unwanted side effects. In this regard, recent developments in the understanding of glial (especially astrocytic) changes in epilepsy can potentially provide novel therapeutic targets.
