The adenosine hypothesis of epilepsy.

The present communication summarizes a variety of diverse observations indicating that adenine ribo-nucleoside (ARN), or adenosine, may play an important role as an endogenous anti-epileptic compound in the central nervous system. From such observations has evolved an hypothesis which states that defects in the synthesis, release, action and/or degradation of ARN may be a causative factor in some forms of epilepsy. Of particular interest is the emerging realization that the adenosine system may be a common factor in the mechanism of action of many otherwise unrelated anticonvulsant compounds. Thus, a more detailed understanding of the ARN system and its role in the control of cerebral activity may lead to rational strategies for the development of efficacious therapeutic agents having greater specificity and fewer side effects.