Antiepileptic Drugs in the Treatment of Psychiatric Diseases

Abstract

Besides the classical application in the treatment of different forms of epilepsies antiepileptic drugs are also used for the therapy of psychic diseases. There are now several uncontrolled and controlled clinical studies indicating the efficacy of carbamazepine and valproate in the treatment of the acute manic syndrome and the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorders (manic-depressive disorder). An effect in the acute depressive syndrome is, however, uncertain. First reports indicate also an efficacy of the new antiepileptic drug lamotrigine in the treatment of bipolar affective disorders. Because of the strong side effects of lithium and the non-response of lithium in some patients the antiepileptic drugs are an important alternative in the therapy of affective disorders.