Valproic acid inhibits excess dopamine release in response to a fear-conditioned stimulus in the basolateral complex of the amygdala of methamphetamine-sensitized rats

Adjunctive Valproic Acid in Management-Refractory Hyperactive Delirium: A Case Series and Rationale

“…VPA has antiglutamatergic and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonistic activity. 2,3 It potentiates GABA effects, induces expression of melatonin receptor, 4 and decreases dopamine in the striatum 5 and basolateral complex of amygdala 6 while increasing dopaminergic activity in the hippocampal and prefrontal areas. 7 In addition, VPA increases acetylcholine efflux in rat hippocampus.…”

Does Valproic Acid/Na Valproate Suppress Auditory Startle Reflex in Patients With Epilepsy?

“…21 Although glutamate antagonism in the inferior colliculus attenuated hyperactive startle response in rats, 22 studies with NMDA ( N -methyl- d -aspartate) antagonist such as memantine did not change startle magnitude in humans. 23,24 Hence, decreased ASR rates and increased latencies of ASRs and SSSs in our study may be attributed to dopaminergic or serotoninergic antagonism or GABA agonistic effect.…”

“…21 Although glutamate antagonism in the inferior colliculus attenuated hyperactive startle response in rats, 22 studies with NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) antagonist such as memantine did not change startle magnitude in humans. 23,24 Hence, decreased ASR rates and increased latencies of ASRs and SSSs in our study may be attributed to dopaminergic or serotoninergic antagonism or GABA agonistic effect. VPA inhibits spontaneous dopamine release and attenuates dopaminergic signaling with chronic treatment 24,25 whereas it potentiates the postsynaptic inhibition created by GABA even after acute infusion.…”

“…23,24 Hence, decreased ASR rates and increased latencies of ASRs and SSSs in our study may be attributed to dopaminergic or serotoninergic antagonism or GABA agonistic effect. VPA inhibits spontaneous dopamine release and attenuates dopaminergic signaling with chronic treatment 24,25 whereas it potentiates the postsynaptic inhibition created by GABA even after acute infusion. 26 The effect of VPA on serotoninergic system is not as remarkable as its effect on GABAergic or dopaminergic systems.…”

Valproic Acid for Treatment of Hyperactive or Mixed Delirium: Rationale and Literature Review

“…This was attributed to the transcriptional effects of VPA resulting in downregulation of the aromatic Lamino acid decarboxylase (AADC), which in turn decreased the decarboxylation of DOPA into dopamine. In a study on the effect of VPA on a trait marker of vulnerability to emotional stress in psychosis, which was represented by excess dopamine release in response to a fearconditioned stimulus (CS) in the basolateral complex of the amygdala of methamphetaminesensitized rats, VPA treatment decreased DA baseline levels as well as attenuated the excess of DA release in response to the CS in the amygdala of methamphetamine-sensitized rats (27).…”