The problem of intractability: The continuing need for new medical therapies in epilepsy

Treatment of epilepsy, one of the most common neurologic disorders, has evolved from ''institutional'' polytherapy to ''dogmatic'' monotherapy, and, most recently, to ''rational'' polypharmacy. The introduction of bromides for the treatment of epilepsy was followed first by phenobarbital and then by phenytoin as therapeutic options. Although attempts to combine medications were legion, none was supported by studies that demonstrated the benefit of such combinations. The issue of adverse effects became a principal argument in favor of monotherapy. Monotherapy, using newly developed drugs, avoided problems due to drug interactions but was ineffective in 20-30% of patients. A greater understanding of basic disease mechanisms and developments in molecular biology have led to an increased number of effective drugs for the estimated 6-12% of patients with epilepsy whose condition is intractable. Clinical research continues to build on the work of basic scientists in attempting to develop treatments based on a desire to move beyond the palliative and to affect the causative mechanisms of the disease. Novel medical approaches now under exploration include the use of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action, stimulation of various components of the nervous system, biochemical manipulations, focal intracerebral drug perfusion, and gene therapy.