- To determine the total and local gray matter volumes, and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)
levels in patients with bipolar disorders who are within euthimic, depressive or
manic/hypomanic period and who are not taking drug;
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of long-term (6 weeks) use of valproate on
total and local gray matter volumes and NAA levels.
- To measure the brain electrical response to visual and auditory impulses before and
after valproate treatment in patients within euthimic, depressive or manic/hypomanic
period and who are not taking drug, and to compare the data with each other and with
normal groups.
- To determine the cognitive functions before and after the valproate treatment in the
same patient group, to compare the data with each other and with age- and sex-paired
normal controls;
- To determine the relationship between these effects of valproate and clinical
improvement;
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive ability status and electrical activity
of brain, to compare this with that in control group; to determine the relationship
between the data and brain imaging (MRI/MRS) findings in conjunction with localization