Sodium valproate in Huntington's disease.
The authors assessed the effect of sodium valproate, which is thought to elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, in the treatment of Huntington's disease by an objective ultrasound method in three patients with Huntington's disease. Despite plasma levels ranging from 47.0 to 140.8 microgram/ml (mean, 104.7), sodium valproate had no beneficial effect on involuntary movements. The authors stress the importance of activation to achieve a standard level of arousal in the assessment of involuntary movements.
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014631:Valerates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014631:Valerates; D014635:Valproic Acid