Effects of single doses of vigabatrin on CSF concentrations of GABA, homocarnosine, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in patients with complex partial epilepsy

Vigabatrin, as a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg, was administered to 11 patients with drug-refractory complex partial epilepsy. Serial lumbar punctures were performed prior to and 5 times within the first week following treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of total GABA, free GABA, homocarnosine, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vigabatrin were determined as well as blood vigabatrin levels. CSF GABA, homocarnosine, HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations increased by 6 h after the single dose and remained elevated for up to 5–7 days. In contrast, CSF and blood vigabatrin levels were maximal within the first 24 h and were no longer detectable thereafter. Hence, these results are consistent with vigabatrin acting as an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transaminase and suggest that it may also increase biogenic amine turnover.