title: Valproate as an antidepressant in major depressive disorder.
abstract: Thirty-three outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) with no history of manic or hypomanic symptomatology were enrolled in an 8-week open trial of valproate. By Week 4, 15 of the 28 completers (54%) demonstrated a significant clinical response as defined by a score reduction of 50 percent or more or a total score of 9 or lower on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Mean HRSD scores of the completers decreased 48.8 percent at Week 4 (p < .0001). At Week 8, 19 of the 22 completers (86%) showed a significant response. Mean HRSD scores decreased from 22 +/- 5 at baseline to 7 +/- 4 at Week 8 (p < .0001). With the intent-to-treat analysis at Week 8, 66 percent were responders, and total group mean HRSD scores decreased 55 percent (p < .0001). The data suggest that valproate may be an effective treatment for MDD. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further document its efficacy in the treatment of MDD.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Clinic, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, USA.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kabel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Choate
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foslien-Nash
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Gurguis
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid