Use and monitoring of bromides in epilepsy treatment

Treatment of epilepsy: existing therapies and future developments

“…Benign familial neonatal convulsions result from mutations affecting voltage-sensitive potassium channels (216,217). Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy results from mutations affecting a central nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (216).…”

“…Benign familial neonatal convulsions result from mutations affecting voltage-sensitive potassium channels (216,217). Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy results from mutations affecting a central nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (216). Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures result from mutations affecting a voltage-sensitive sodium channel (206,207).…”

“…The use of bromide salts and phenobarbital to treat epilepsy was entirely empiric; neither was intended to treat the condition. Bromide salts were being used to inhibit masturbation and sexual behavior (see 128,216,[232][233][234]. Phenobarbital was a sedative.…”

“…Modern pharmacotherapy of epilepsy goes back as far as the introduction of phenobarbital in 1912 in the U.S. (see 310), and back to the 1860s if the use of bromide salts is included (128,216,234). Phenytoin (Dilantin) was introduced in 1938, and is still widely used (240).…”

“…The introduction of bromide in 1857 by Sir Charles Locock for the treatment of seizures can be considered the start of modern anti-epileptic pharmacotherapy (see 128,216,234). Despite its use for well over a century, the mechanism of action is still poorly understood, but presumably involves blockade of chloride transport.…”