Therapeutic effects of GABA-ergic drugs in affective disorders. A preliminary report.
A possible antimanic efficacy of the GABA-ergic anticonvulsant valproate was examined by use of a double-blind, placebo-controlled ABA design. A marked improvement was observed after valproate medication in a group of 5 acutely ill manic patients. Similar results were obtained in 7 trials examining the antimanic property of the keto-derivative of carbamazepine (oxcarbazepine) in 6 patients with acute mania, whereas no antimanic effect could be observed in a treatment with diazepam and with THIP. Combination of THIP and diazepam in another patient showed a slight antimanic effect. Additionally, a possible prophylactic effect of long-term treatment using valproate was examined. In 8 of 9 patients exhibiting a bipolar affective or schizoaffective psychosis, who did not properly respond to lithium treatment, a prophylactic effect of valproate medication could be demonstrated. The results point to the view that anticonvulsants, possibly due to GABA-ergic effects, may be beneficial in affective disorders.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D010080:Oxazoles; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; C015542:gaboxadol; D003975:Diazepam; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine