Treatment of status epilepticus: Physiology, pharmacology, and future directions

Abstract

Abstract The review presents retrospective, present views and future perspectives on the treatment of status epilepticus (SE). First, presynaptic, postsynaptic, and extrasynaptic mechanisms underlying sustaining ongoing seizure activity are highlighted. Next, mechanism‐based choices of antiseizure medications capable of promptly arresting SE are introduced. Finally, challenges associated with translating the advances in laboratory research in clinical practice are discussed.

Keywords

• antiseizure medications
• extrasynaptic modulation
• postsynaptic modulation
• presynaptic modulation
• status epilepticus