The research activities of the Unit relate primarily to the drug pharmacology and clinical therapeutics of epilepsy and includes studies of novel treatment strategies, new drugs and formulations, pharmacokinetic profiling and of drug interactions. Basic science research: We apply pharmacokinetic principles and neurochemical techniques (e.g. monitoring brain drug concentrations by intracerebral microdialysis and measurement of concurrent neurotransmitter concentrations) and a variety of complementary seizure models (e.g. pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock) and pharmacokinetic models (e.g. blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain extracellular fluid sampling) so as to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of action and interaction of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Clinical research: The unit participates in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials of putative new AEDs in patients with intractable epilepsy.