Sodium valproate in the treatment of behavioral disturbance in dementia.
Management of the behavioral complications of dementia, including agitation and aggression, presents a tremendous challenge to families and caregivers of afflicted patients. Most previous pharmacotherapies have shown minimal efficacy and significant side effects. We report our initial, open-label experience using the anticonvulsant sodium valproate in four dementia patients with severe behavioral disturbance. The drug was well tolerated by all patients, with no side effects or laboratory abnormalities, during 1- to 3-month trials. Two patients showed significant improvement in behavior, and a third had a transient response. Valproate may be a useful agent in the treatment of behavioral disturbance in dementia; controlled trials are needed to document its efficacy.
Mellow
A M
AM
Geropsychiatry Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0722.
Solano-Lopez
C
C
Davis
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001284:Atrophy; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015161:Dementia, Multi-Infarct / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014754:Violence
D014635:Valproic Acid