The use of microdialysis in CNS drug delivery studies: Pharmacokinetic perspectives and results with analgesics and antiepileptics

Microdialysis can give simultaneous information on unbound drug concentration–time profiles in brain extracellular fluid (ECF) and blood, separating the information on blood–brain barrier (BBB) processes from confounding factors such as binding to brain tissue or proteins in blood. This makes microdialysis suitable for studies on CNS drug delivery. It is possible to quantify influx and efflux processes at the BBB in vivo, and to relate brain ECF concentrations to central drug action. The half-life in brain ECF vs. the half-life in blood gives information on rate-limiting steps in drug delivery and elimination from the CNS. Examples are given on microdialysis studies of analgesic and antiepileptic drugs.