Gabapentin treatment of mood disorders: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if gabapentin is effective either as adjunctive treatment or as monotherapy for major affective disorders in a naturalistic setting.


METHODS
All charts of patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder or unipolar major depressive disorder treated with gabapentin in a private psychiatric practice were reviewed and clinical response was assessed retrospectively using the Clinical Global Impressions scale for Improvement (CGI-I).


RESULTS
Gabapentin was moderately to markedly effective in 30% (15/50) of patients, with statistically nonsignificant differences between patients with bipolar disorder type I, bipolar disorder type II and NOS, and unipolar major depressive disorder. 70% reported side effects, mainly sedation, with 16% of the total sample discontinuing treatment due to adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin appears to be somewhat effective as add-on treatment in a subgroup of patients with mood disorders in a naturalistic setting. Prospective, controlled studies are required to clarify these pilot data.
Psychopharmacology Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
S N
SN
Ghaemi
J J
JJ
Katzow
S P
SP
Desai
F K
FK
Goodwin
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin