The role of sodium valproate as an anti-manic agent

Seven manic patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of Feighner et al. who had not responded to previous treatment with lithium and neuroleptics were commenced on sodium valproate after their symptomatology had been rated on the In-patient Multidimensional Psychiatric Scale. Dosage was adjusted up to a maximum of 1500 mg sodium valproate per day. After 6 weeks, 5 patients showed a definite clinical improvement which was further confirmed by the psychometric evaluation. The results suggest that the anticonvulsant drug sodium valproate may have anti-manic activity.