AACP 1991 Meeting Paper Abstracts

Twenty-six patients with refractory affective disorders who were taking valproate were followed in an open-label fashion for an average of 3 1/2 years. Valproate, frequently in combination with lithium,, carbamazepine, or other previously partially effective medications, reduced the number and severity of affective episodes over the study period. The results indicate that valproate shares with lithium and carbamazepine a tendency towards overall mitigation of the frequency and amplitude of affective cycles. Psychopharmacologic combinational strategies were employed in a majority of the patients. Overall improvement in global assessment scales over the study period suggests the utility of the procedure of systematic medication trials, and the model of a “limbic circuit” conceptualized psychopharmacologically.