Alcohol withdrawal kindling: is there a role for anticonvulsants?

Animal and clinical studies supporting the kindling hypothesis of alcohol withdrawal suggest the need to revisit current treatment concepts. While traditional approaches have emphasized symptom reduction and prevention of complications, novel approaches include slowing progress of clinical severity associated with multiple withdrawals. Currently, it is unclear if medications can halt cumulative neurotoxicity associated with multiple withdrawals. However, the ability of anticonvulsants to improve the course of alcohol withdrawal and their neuroprotective effects may be of interest. The use of anticonvulsants as probes in animal models of kindling and controlled trials examining the efficacy of newer anticonvulsants in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal may improve understanding of alcohol withdrawal kindling and its treatment.