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Steele JW, Krishnan V, Finnell RH. Mechanisms of neurodevelopmental toxicity of topiramate. Crit Rev Toxicol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38995641 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2368552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Prescriptions for antiseizure medications (ASMs) have been rapidly growing over the last several decades due, in part, to an expanding list of clinical indications for which they are now prescribed. This trend has raised concern for potential adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in ASM-exposed pregnancies. Recent large scale population studies have suggested that the use of topiramate (TOPAMAX, Janssen-Cilag), when prescribed for seizure control, migraines, and/or weight management, is associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in exposed offspring. Here, we critically review epidemiologic evidence demonstrating the neurobehavioral teratogenicity of topiramate and speculate on the neuromolecular mechanisms by which prenatal exposure may perturb neurocognitive development. Specifically, we explore the potential role of topiramate's pharmacological interactions with ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, especially GABAergic signaling, its effects on DNA methylation and histone acetylation, whether topiramate induces oxidative stress, and its association with fetal growth restriction as possible mechanisms contributing to neurodevelopmental toxicity. Resolving this biology will be necessary to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by topiramate or other ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vaishnav Krishnan
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Raffaelli B, Rubio-Beltrán E, Cho SJ, De Icco R, Labastida-Ramirez A, Onan D, Ornello R, Ruscheweyh R, Waliszewska-Prosół M, Messina R, Puledda F. Health equity, care access and quality in headache - part 2. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:167. [PMID: 38087219 PMCID: PMC10717448 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Headache disorders are a global public health concern affecting diverse populations. This review examines headache service organizations in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It addresses global challenges in pharmacological headache treatment, with a focus on safety, tolerability, reproductive and child health, and outlines disparities in accessing innovative treatments worldwide. MAIN BODY Organized headache services are essential due to the wide prevalence and varying severity of headache disorders. The tiered headache service model is globally recognized, although its implementation varies based on financial and workforce considerations. Headache burden affects well-being, causing disability, economic challenges, and work limitations, irrespective of location or income. All nations still require improved diagnosis and treatment, and the majority of countries face obstacles including limited access, awareness, economic barriers, and inadequate health policies. Provided adequate internet availability, telemedicine could help improve health equity by expanding access to headache care, since it can offer patients access to services without lengthy waiting times or extensive travel and can provide healthcare unavailable in underserved areas due to staff shortages. Numerous health disparities restrict global access to many headache medications, especially impacting individuals historically excluded from randomized controlled trials, such as those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, as well as pregnant women. Furthermore, despite advancements in researching migraine treatments for young patients, the options for treatment remain limited. Access to headache treatment relies on factors like medication availability, approval, financial coverage, and healthcare provider expertise. Inadequate public awareness leads to neglect by policymakers and undertreatment by patients and healthcare providers. Global access discrepancies are exacerbated by the introduction of novel disease-specific medications, particularly impacting Asian, African, and Latin American nations excluded from clinical trials. While North America and Europe experience broad availability of migraine treatments, the majority of countries worldwide lack access to these therapies. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare disparities, treatment access, and medication availability are concerning issues in headache medicine. Variations in national healthcare systems impact headache management, and costly innovative drugs are widening these gaps. Healthcare practitioners and experts should acknowledge these challenges and work towards minimizing access barriers for equitable global headache care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Raffaelli
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Eloísa Rubio-Beltrán
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Soo-Jin Cho
- Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea
| | - Roberto De Icco
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Headache Science & Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alejandro Labastida-Ramirez
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dilara Onan
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - Raffaele Ornello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ruth Ruscheweyh
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Migraine and Headache Society, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Roberta Messina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Puledda
- Headache Group, Wolfson SPaRC, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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