In several small , single-site RCTs , valproate and sulthiame were better than placebo for the management of recurrent aggression .
Conclusions : Currently available RCTs do not support the efficacy of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers in children .
There is some preliminary evidence from small RCTs of the efficacy of some anticonvulsants in the control of aggression and behavioral dyscontrol in conduct disorder , autism , and intellectual disability
Aim : Anticonvulsant medications are frequently used in clinical practice to treat psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents , but the evidence for their efficacy is uncertain .
We conducted a systematic review of published r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) that assessed the psychiatric benefit of anticonvulsants  in patients under 18 years of age .
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of valproate for aggression in youth with pervasive developmental disorders.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to study valproate  efficacy and safety for aggression in children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders ( PDD ) . METHODS In this prospect i ve double-blind , placebo-controlled study , 30 subjects ( 20 boys , 10 girls ) 6 - 20 years of age with PDD and significant aggression were r and omized and received treatment with valproate ( VPA ) or placebo ( PBO ) for 8 weeks as out patients . Mean VPA trough blood levels were 75.5 mcg/mL at week 4 and 77.8 mcg/mL at week 8 . RESULTS No treatment difference was observed statistically between VPA and PBO groups . The Aberrant Behavior Checklist -- Community Scale ( ABC-C ) Irritability subscale was the primary outcome measure ( p = 0.65 ) , and CGI -- Improvement ( p = 0.16 ) and OAS ( p = 0.96 ) were secondary outcome measures . Increased appetite and skin rash were significant side effects . Only 1 subject was dropped from the study owing to side effects , notably a spreading skin rash , which then resolved spontaneously . Two subjects receiving VPA developed increased serum ammonia levels , one with an associated parent report of slurred speech and mild cognitive slowing . Post study , of 16 VPA and PBO subjects receiving VPA , 10 subjects demonstrated sustained response , 4 of whom later attempted taper , with significant relapse of aggression . CONCLUSION The present negative findings can not be viewed as conclusive , partly owing to the large placebo response , subject heterogeneity , and size of the groups . Larger studies are needed to exp and upon these findings
In several small , single-site RCTs , valproate and sulthiame were better than placebo for the management of recurrent aggression .
Conclusions : Currently available RCTs do not support the efficacy of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers in children .
There is some preliminary evidence from small RCTs of the efficacy of some anticonvulsants in the control of aggression and behavioral dyscontrol in conduct disorder , autism , and intellectual disability
Aim : Anticonvulsant medications are frequently used in clinical practice to treat psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents , but the evidence for their efficacy is uncertain .
We conducted a systematic review of published r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) that assessed the psychiatric benefit of anticonvulsants  in patients under 18 years of age .