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 .
Divalproex sodium for the treatment of conduct disorder: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND New treatments for conduct disorder are sorely needed . We aim ed to test the efficacy of divalproex sodium for the treatment of conduct disorder . METHOD Seventy-one youths with conduct disorder according to DSM-IV criteria were enrolled in a r and omized , controlled , 7-week clinical trial . Subjects were all adolescent males with at least 1 crime conviction . Subjects were r and omized into high- and low-dose conditions and were openly managed by a clinical team . Subjects and independent outcome raters were blinded to condition . Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness ( CGI-S ) and CGI-Improvement ( CGI-I ) ratings , Weinberger Adjustment Inventory ratings , and staff ratings of behavioral privilege were used to assess outcome . RESULTS Intent-to-treat analyses showed significant associations between assignment to the high-dose condition and ratings on the CGI-S ( p = .02 ) and CGI-I ( p = .0008 ) . Self-reported weekly impulse control was significantly better in the high-dose condition ( p < .05 ) , and association between improvement in self-restraint and treatment condition was of borderline statistical significance ( p < .06 ) . Parallel analyses comparing outcome by blood drug level achieved strengthened the results , as expected . CONCLUSION This preliminary study in a most difficult population suggests a role for divalproex sodium in the treatment of conduct disorder . Divalproex sodium improved self-reported impulse control and self-restraint , variables shown to be predictive of criminal recidivism . Studies are needed of longer-term impact and side-effect profiles . This is one of few controlled psychopharmacologic studies of conduct disorder
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 .