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.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Collaborators:
National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan TTY Biopharm