This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Original Research

Gabapentin Treatment of Mood Disorders: A Preliminary Study

S. Nassir Ghaemi, Jacob J. Katzow, Sonal P. Desai, and Frederick K. Goodwin

Published: August 15, 1998

Article Abstract

Objective: To determine if gabapentin is effective either as adjunctivetreatment or as monotherapy for major affective disorders in a naturalistic setting.

Method: All charts of patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolardisorder or unipolar major depressive disorder treated with gabapentin in a privatepsychiatric practice were reviewed and clinical response was assessed retrospectivelyusing the Clinical Global Impressions scale for Improvement (CGI-I).

Results: Gabapentin was moderately to markedly effective in 30% (15/50)of patients, with statistically nonsignificant differences between patients with bipolardisorder type I, bipolar disorder type II and NOS, and unipolar major depressive disorder.70% reported side effects, mainly sedation, with 16% of the total sample discontinuingtreatment due to adverse events.

Conclusion: Gabapentin appears to be somewhat effective as add-ontreatment in a subgroup of patients with mood disorders in a naturalistic setting.Prospective, controlled studies are required to clarify these pilot data.

Volume: 59

Quick Links: Bipolar Disorder , Mood Disorders

Continue Reading…

Subscribe to read the entire article

$40.00

Buy this Article as a PDF