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Valproate

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • 398 Accesses

Synonyms

Divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER/CP); Valproate sodium (Depacon); Valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor)

Definition

Valproate is a broad spectrum anticonvulsant used to treat seizures, manic episodes, and migraines. The exact mechanism of action underlining each of the drug’s clinical effects remains unclear. However, a wide range of actions have been reported to contribute to the drug’s diverse effects, such as: increasing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, reducing levels of excitatory amino acid (such as beta-hydrobutryric acid), inhibiting calcium channels, modulating dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission, and inhibiting histone deacetylase.

Common side effects reported include tremors, confusion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, weight gain, abdominal cramps, and abnormal liver functioning. Other potential side effects include liver damage (i.e., hepatotoxicity), metabolic and endocrine adverse...

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References and Reading

  • Christensen, J., Grønborg, T. K., Sørensen, M. J., Schendel, D., Parner, E. T., Pedersen, L. H., & Vestergaard, M. (2013). Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. JAMA, 309, 1696–1703.

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  • Tomson, T., Battino, D., & Perucca, E. (2016). Valproic acid after five decades of use in epilepsy: Time to reconsider the indications of a time-honoured drug. The Lancet Neurology, 15, 210–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Anamiguel Pomales-Ramos

Authors
  1. Anamiguel Pomales-Ramos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anamiguel Pomales-Ramos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Pomales-Ramos, A. (2018). Valproate. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102097-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102097-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

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