Divalproex sodium for irritability in autism.(News Notes)

In their 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Eric Hollander and colleagues note that in an earlier open-label trial (2001) they found efficacy for valproate in reducing symptoms of irritability and aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current trial randomized 27 patients (5-17 years old; mean 9.46 [+ or -] 2.46) to placebo (N=11) or divalproex sodium (Depakote; N=16). The patients had a mean nonverbal IQ of 63.3 [+ or -] 23.9. A total of 24 patients completed the trial, with 1 patient from the placebo group and 2 from the active treatment group discontinuing due to lack of efficacy or increased irritability. Based on intent-to-treat …