Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D. is a psychologist who has a professional interest in bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is an emerging treatment for bipolar disorder that has been used as an anti-seizure medication for years. Some studies have shown lamotrigine can mitigate extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder, while others have found little correlation between its use and improved symptoms. Further studies on lamotrigine will continue since it does not cause weight gain and has fewer side effects than other bipolar drugs.

1. Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder
By: Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D.

2. Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder
A Rockville, Maryland-based psychologist in private practice, Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D., formerly served
as chief psychologist for Rockville’s Jewish Social Service Agency and clinical director for the
Center for Children's Services in Danville, Illinois. A major area of professional interest for Uzi Ben-
Ami, Ph.D., is bipolar disorder.

3. Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder
An emerging treatment for bipolar disorder, lamotrigine has been used as an anti-seizure
medication for years. Although the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve it for
acute bipolar depression, studies have shown that it can be used to mitigate the extreme mood
swings that often accompany adult bipolar disorder. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study,
41 percent of patient subjects showed improved results on lamotrigine as compared with only 26
percent of patients on the placebo. Other studies, however, have found little statistical correlation
between lamotrigine use and improved bipolar disorder symptoms.

4. Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder
Studies on lamotrigine treatment for bipolar disorder will certainly continue due to the fact that,
unlike other bipolar drugs, lamotrigine doesn’t cause weight gain, and also produces fewer adverse
neurocognitive side effects.