Andi
03-06-05, 10:38 AM
Topiramate reduces abnormally high levels of brain chemical called glutamate
A drug for controlling epileptic seizures may also be effective for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who haven't responded to other medications.
People with OCD have recurrent and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and recurrent compulsions such as handwashing or lock checking aimed at lessening their anxiety.
Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton have found the epilepsy drug topiramate (brand name Topamax) reduces levels of glutamate, a brain chemical that has been found in abnormally high concentrations in people with OCD.
When they tested the drug in 16 men and women with OCD, 11 of the patients improved on the treatment.
"It clearly does not work in all OCD patients, but there is a group who go from having very significant symptoms to virtually nothing on this treatment. That's why we're excited about it," says Dr. Michael Van Ameringen, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences.
The patients in the study still had OCD symptoms despite taking other medications for the disorder, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. They had an average age of 41 years and had suffered from OCD for an average of 26 years.
After about nine weeks on topiramate, 11 of the 16 patients were "much improved" or "very much improved" according to a scale researchers use to measure response to treatments.
Thirteen study participants reported side-effects such as weight loss, fatigue, tingling and memory difficulties, but no one withdrew from the study because of them.
The researchers are working on a larger, more scientifically designed study to confirm the findings.
A drug for controlling epileptic seizures may also be effective for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who haven't responded to other medications.
People with OCD have recurrent and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and recurrent compulsions such as handwashing or lock checking aimed at lessening their anxiety.
Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton have found the epilepsy drug topiramate (brand name Topamax) reduces levels of glutamate, a brain chemical that has been found in abnormally high concentrations in people with OCD.
When they tested the drug in 16 men and women with OCD, 11 of the patients improved on the treatment.
"It clearly does not work in all OCD patients, but there is a group who go from having very significant symptoms to virtually nothing on this treatment. That's why we're excited about it," says Dr. Michael Van Ameringen, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences.
The patients in the study still had OCD symptoms despite taking other medications for the disorder, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. They had an average age of 41 years and had suffered from OCD for an average of 26 years.
After about nine weeks on topiramate, 11 of the 16 patients were "much improved" or "very much improved" according to a scale researchers use to measure response to treatments.
Thirteen study participants reported side-effects such as weight loss, fatigue, tingling and memory difficulties, but no one withdrew from the study because of them.
The researchers are working on a larger, more scientifically designed study to confirm the findings.