Brainstorms June 1, 2004

Anticonvulsants as Mood Stabilizers and Adjuncts to Antipsychotics: Valproate, Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine and Actions at Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD

J Clin Psychiatry 2004;65(6):738-739

Article Abstract

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The past several BRAINSTORMS features have discussed 3 major mechanisms of therapeutic action for anticonvulsants: enhancement of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels as α2δ ligands, and blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels.1-4