Add-on Dextromethorphan in Bipolar Disorders

Summary

Dextromethorphan has been reported affording neuroprotection on dopaminergic neurons and having protective effect against inflammation-related neuron damage. These anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of dextromethorphan would suggest potential clinical benefits of dextromethorphan add-on therapy to valproate for bipolar disorder patients. This hypothesis was based on the findings that the mood stabilizers have been reported to be neuroprotective through the release of neurotrophic factors such as GDNF from astroglia. Thus, the combination treatment of mood stabilizers and dextromethorphan might improve the therapeutic efficacy for bipolar disorder patients.

Timeline

Start

2007-06

Primary completion

2010-12

Completion

2011-06

Drugs

Indications