Sodium valproate (VPA) has well-established neuroprotective effects and is recommended as treatment in bipolar disorder patients. The neural effects of VPA in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) have yet to be established. This preliminary study explored the effects of VPA on brain structure in PBD. Fourteen PBD patients (10 males; mean = 13.43 ± 3.05 years old) underwent a structural MRI before and after a 6-week VPA treatment period. Bayesian linear mixed modeling explored seven brain region volumes as a function of dichotomous pre/post time. Results showed a decrease in amygdala volume over time. These findings need to be confirmed by large-scale, longitudinal studies.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.05.006DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

bipolar disorder
12
pediatric bipolar
8
preliminary study
8
effects vpa
8
effects
4
effects valproate
4
valproate brain
4
brain volumes
4
volumes pediatric
4
disorder preliminary
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!