The effect of lamotrigine and other antiepileptic drugs on respiratory rhythm generation in the pre‐Bötzinger complex

Objective Lamotrigine and other sodium‐channel blocking agents are among the most commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Because other sodium channel blockers, such as riluzole, can severely alter respiratory rhythm generation during hypoxia, we wanted to investigate if AEDs can have similar effects. This is especially important in the context of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), the major cause of death in patients suffering from therapy‐resistant epilepsy. Although the mechanism of action is not entirely understood, respiratory dysfunction after generalized tonic‐clonic seizures seems to play a major role. Methods We used transverse brainstem slice preparations from neonatal and juvenile mice containing the pre‐Bötzinger complex (PreBötC) and measured population as well as intracellular activity of the rhythm‐generating network under normoxia and hypoxia in the presence or absence of AEDs. Results We found a substantial inhibition of the gasping response induced by the application of sodium channel blockers (lamotrigine and carbamazepine). In contrast, levetiracetam, an AED‐modulating synaptic function, had a much smaller effect. The inhibition of gasping by lamotrigine was accompanied by a significant reduction of the persistent sodium current (INap) in PreBötC neurons. Surprisingly, the suppression of persistent sodium currents by lamotrigine did not affect the voltage‐dependent bursting activity in PreBötC pacemaker neurons, but led to a hypoxia‐dependent shift of the action potential rheobase in all measured PreBötC neurons. Significance Our results contribute to the understanding of the effects of AEDs on the vital respiratory functions of the central nervous system. Moreover, our study adds further insight into sodium‐dependent changes occurring during hypoxia and the contribution of cellular properties to the respiratory rhythm generation in the pre‐Bötzinger complex. It raises the question of whether sodium channel blocking AEDs could, in conditions of extreme hypoxia, contribute to SUDEP, an important issue that warrants further studies.