Adjunctive topiramate treatment for a refractory familial adolescent mania

Adolescent mania is often misdiagnosed. This case study describes the clinical course and diagnostic reclassification from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder in a 15-year-old girl. This case study also describes the pedigree of the siblings, familial aggregation, and anticipation of mood disorders. In addition, we present the successful use of topiramate, a new antiepileptic drug, which is increasingly being used as a mood stabilizer in paediatric bipolar disorder. The efficacy of topiramate in this case supports its role as a promising agent in treatment-resistant adolescent mania associated with familial aggregation.