An Open Trial of Valproate for Agitation in Geriatric Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The authors assessed the efficacy, tolerability and safety of open valproate administration in a group of elderly patients with agitation and neuropsychiatric disorders (N = 13), most of whom had dementia (n = 12). Dosing was individualized according to the response of target symptoms and side effects. Clinical Global Impression of Change (vs. baseline) measured efficacy. This open treatment suggested that valproate reduced agitated behaviors in some patients, and is well tolerated; thus, results warrant a larger, randomized, placebo-controlled study.