Divalproex in the treatment of acute bipolar depression: A preliminary double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study

S. Nassir Ghaemi*, William S. Gilmer, Joseph F. Goldberg, Benjamin Zablotsky, David E. Kemp, Mary E. Kelley, Amber D. Bauer, Jenelle Fleck, Megan M. Filkowski, Vanessa A. Stan, Robert T. Dunn

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of divalproex (extended release) in the treatment of acute nonrefractory bipolar depression. Method: In a stratified, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 18 acutely depressed bipolar outpatients (DSM-IV criteria) received either divalproex monotherapy (target dose level, 70-90 ng/dL) (N = 9) or placebo (N = 9) for 6 weeks. Patients were recruited between January 2004 and May 2005. Clinical assessment on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) determined primary efficacy. Results: The divalproex treatment group showed significantly greater reduction in MADRS scores compared to placebo (group x time interaction, p = .0078). Absolute effect size of estimated MADRS total score reduction over time was 13.6 points with divalproex versus 1.4 points with placebo (p = .003, linear growth curve model). Standardized effect size was large (Cohen d = 0.81). MADRS item analyses demonstrated improvement in core mood symptoms more than in anxiety or insomnia symptoms. There was also a modest but significant association between MADRS and Mania Rating Scale scores in the divalproex group (r = 0.29, df = 51, p = .03), but not in the placebo group (r = -0.15, df = 35, p = .36). Conclusions: Divalproex appeared to be an effective treatment for acute nonrefractory bipolar depression, which is consistent with previous small randomized studies. Some evidence of benefit in the depressive mixed state was observed. Confirmation or refutation with larger randomized clinical trials is warranted. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00226343.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1840-1844
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry
Volume68
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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