Abstract
Mania in late life is often complicated by comorbid medical conditions, medication intolerance, and inadequate medication response. Lithium remains the primary medication in the acute and prophylactic treatment of mania in the elderly. However, certain anticonvulsants (valproic acid and carbamazepine) have a number of advantages, including a more tolerable side effect profile and increased efficacy in subgroups of patients, such as patients with secondary mania due to neurological and other medical disorders. Future research is needed to focus on the double-blind trials of somatic treatments, including ECT, in the elderly.
MeSH terms
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Age of Onset
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Aged / psychology*
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Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
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Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
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Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis*
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Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
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Bipolar Disorder / etiology
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Carbamazepine / adverse effects
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Carbamazepine / therapeutic use*
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Humans
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Lithium / administration & dosage
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Lithium / adverse effects
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Lithium / therapeutic use*
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Middle Aged
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Schizophrenia / diagnosis
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Tranquilizing Agents / administration & dosage
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Tranquilizing Agents / adverse effects
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Tranquilizing Agents / therapeutic use*
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Valproic Acid / adverse effects
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Valproic Acid / therapeutic use*
Substances
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Anticonvulsants
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Tranquilizing Agents
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Carbamazepine
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Valproic Acid
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Lithium