INTRODUCTION: Bipolar disorder is frequently associated with obsessional symptoms. However, no reports have identified a pattern of obsessionality that is associated with a specific mood stabilizer treatment. METHODS: A chart review was conducted on five patients with bipolar II disorder who spontaneously reported a form of obsessionality characterized by intrusive, recurrent phrases after taking lamotrigine. RESULTS: Development of the phrases occurred from 7-42 years after mood disorder onset and occurred only after initiation of lamotrigine treatment. The phrases improved with lamotrigine discontinuation or dose reduction and recurred with lamotrigine re-challenge or upon dose escalation. CONCLUSION: A possible mechanism for the development of the intrusive phrases involves the influence of lamotrigine on glutamatergic regulation in a bipolar II disorder population vulnerable to the expression of obsessionality. Limitations of this report include its observational nature, small number of cases reported, and confound of concomitant medication use.
INTRODUCTION:Bipolar disorder is frequently associated with obsessional symptoms. However, no reports have identified a pattern of obsessionality that is associated with a specific mood stabilizer treatment. METHODS: A chart review was conducted on five patients with bipolar II disorder who spontaneously reported a form of obsessionality characterized by intrusive, recurrent phrases after taking lamotrigine. RESULTS: Development of the phrases occurred from 7-42 years after mood disorder onset and occurred only after initiation of lamotrigine treatment. The phrases improved with lamotrigine discontinuation or dose reduction and recurred with lamotrigine re-challenge or upon dose escalation. CONCLUSION: A possible mechanism for the development of the intrusive phrases involves the influence of lamotrigine on glutamatergic regulation in a bipolar II disorder population vulnerable to the expression of obsessionality. Limitations of this report include its observational nature, small number of cases reported, and confound of concomitant medication use.
Authors: Alejandro Szmulewicz; Cecilia Samamé; Pablo Caravotta; Diego J Martino; Ana Igoa; Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei; Francesc Colom; Sergio A Strejilevich Journal: Int J Bipolar Disord Date: 2016-02-16