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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells Using Valproic Acid
Published on: April 11, 2019
[Under the spell of valproic acid]
Olafur Arni Sveinsson1, Agust Hilmarsson2, Brynhildur Thors3
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland, University of Iceland, Faculty of Medicine.
Case:
This case describes a serious but rare adverse effect of the antiepileptic drug valproicacid (valproate-induced encephalopathy) in a 65-year-old man. The patient was started on valproic acid on questionable grounds due to a suspected single seizure. He remained on the medication for 10 years before progressively worsening Parkinsonian symptoms were attributed to side effects of the drug. The medication was subsequently tapered off. Then, it was as if a veil had been lifted from thepatient. All suspicion of Parkinson's disease disappeared. This case highlights the importance of a correct epilepsy diagnosis before initiating treatment, as well as maintaining a high level of awareness of adverse effects in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs.
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