Plasma GABA predicts acute response to divalproex in mania.
Bipolar I, manic phase inpatients were treated with divalproex sodium, lithium, or placebo in a previously reported parallel group multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled acute phase treatment trial. Plasma concentrations of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) were measured before and after treatment. Higher pretreatment plasma GABA levels were significantly (p = .04) related to a better clinical response to divalproex (n = 19). Pretreatment plasma GABA levels did not correlate with response to either lithium (n = 13) or placebo (n = 31). Following treatment with divalproex sodium, plasma GABA levels decreased significantly (p < .05), compared to placebo. Pretreatment plasma GABA levels were not related to overall severity of manic symptoms. Plasma GABA may predict response to pharmacologic agents acting on the GABA system.
Petty
F
F
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, USA.
Rush
A J
AJ
Davis
J M
JM
Calabrese
J R
JR
Kimmel
S E
SE
Kramer
G L
GL
Small
J G
JG
Miller
M J
MJ
Swann
A E
AE
Orsulak
P J
PJ
Blake
M E
ME
Bowden
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid