Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication. | ||||||||
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Divalproex sodium reduces overall aggression in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder.Saxena K, Howe M, Simeonova D, Steiner H, Chang K Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child Psychiatry and Child Development, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ksaxena@stanford.edu INTRODUCTION: The psychopharmacology of aggression in youth is relatively unexplored, even though such maladaptive aggression manifests across many different diagnoses. METHODS: This study was a 12-week, open-label trial with divalproex sodium (DVPX) in 24 bipolar offspring 6-18 years of age (mean age = 11.3 years; 17 boys) with mixed diagnoses of major depression, cyclothymia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) was used to measure aggression in 4-week intervals. We measured serum gamma-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels at baseline and week 12. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of evaluable subjects were considered responders to DVPX treatment by the OAS. There was a significant correlation between the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and OAS scores at week 0 (p = 0.036) and week 12 (p = 0.025). Serum DVPX level did not correlate with treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: These youths who are at high risk for bipolar disorder experienced an overall decrease in aggressive behavior in response to DVPX. Age or gender did not predict a positive response to DVPX. This study is the first report of treatment efficacy of a mood stabilizer for aggression in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder. Published 13 June 2006 in J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol, 16(3): 252-9.
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