On chemical structures with potent antiepileptic/anticonvulsant profile

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. There has been a considerable interest in the development of many antiepileptic and anticonvulsant agents for controlling epilepsy with fewer side effects and improvement of quality of life. Since the terms antiepileptics /anticonvulsants are used interchangeably, this article reviews their classification according to the chemical structure into: hydantoins, oxazolidinediones, succinimides, barbiturates, amides, benzodiazepines, valproic acid and its derivatives, GABA-analogues, cycloalkanes, semicarbazones, γ butyrolactones (GBLs), imidaquinazolines and pyrrolidine derivatives as well as miscellaneous compounds. In addition, the review discusses the different mechanisms of action of antiepileptic and anticonvulsant agents.