Felbamate is an anticonvulsant used to treat severe epilepsy, particularly in adults. The mechanism by which Felbamate exerts its anticonvulsant activity is unknown, but in animal tests felbamate has properties in common with other marketed anticonvulsants. In vitro studies have found that it may be an antagonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine-recognition site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor-ionophore complex. This antagonism of the NMDA receptor blocks the glutamate from activating the receptor and prevents calcium from entering the neuron. This causes hyperpolarization of the neuron which increases the threshold for neuron activation, increasing the seizure threshold and decreasing seizure spread. It has also been indicated that Felbamate has inhibitory actions on GABA receptors and benzodiazepine receptors.

Felbamate NMDA Antagonist Pathway References