Introduction: Neuroactive peptides are peptides produced by neurons and released through controlled mechanisms that bind to specific receptors on nerve, glial, or other cell types, causing biochemical response(s) within these cells.
Areas covered: This article summarizes and interprets recent advancements in our knowledge of neuroactive peptides with pro- or anti-convulsant action, and about new drugs that use the molecular machinery of neuroactive peptides to suppress seizures.
Expert opinion: According to the results of preclinical and limited clinical investigations to date, the highest potential to become anti-epileptic drugs with marketing authorization belongs to non-peptide agonists of melanocortin receptors, thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptors, ghrelin receptors, galanin receptors, somatostatin and cortistatin receptors, oxytocin receptors, cholecystokinin receptors, and opioid kappa receptors, followed by non-peptide antagonists of the renin-angiotensin system, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors, NK1 receptors for substance P, arginine-vasopressin receptors, and opioid delta receptors.
Keywords: Epilepsy; neuroactive peptides; non-peptide agonists; non-peptide antagonists.