Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:352-354
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Sodium valproate in Huntington's disease
GR Symington, DP Leonard, PJ Shannon and FJ Vajda
The authors assessed the effect of sodium valproate, which is thought to
elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, in the treatment of
Huntington's disease by an objective ultrasound method in three patients
with Huntington's disease. Despite plasma levels ranging from 47.0 to 140.8
microgram/ml (mean, 104.7), sodium valproate had no beneficial effect on
involuntary movements. The authors stress the importance of activation to
achieve a standard level of arousal in the assessment of involuntary
movements.
