Historical Development Valproic acid has an analogue found in nature in the form of valerian. This chemical was artificially synthesized in 1882 using the chemical valerian as a reference. The chemical is a liquid at room temperature and has been and has long been used as a chemically inert solvent. The application of this drug was discovered as an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drug in 1962 by French researcher Pierre Eymard while he was comparing different compounds for their antiepileptic properties. Valproic acid was approved as an antiepileptic drug in 1967 and has become a widely used drug in the field of epilepsy reduction. Other applications of the drug, later discovered, include migraine, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Valproic acid may also have a market in HIV, cancer and stem cell research, but research is ongoing. Compound Mechanism of Action As a treatment for bipolar disorder, the mechanism of valproic acid is not completely understood, but the mechanism of valproic acid is thought to affect gamma acid neurotransmission -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The specific mechanism is believed to be an inhibitor of the neutransmitter GABA, which inhibits GABA transaminase and subsequently increases GABA concentration. This mechanism is comparable to lithium salts for bipolar disorder. As an anticonvulsant, valproic acid blocks sodium and calcium tension channels, which form the barrier of the plasma membrane of cells. Cation channels work by allowing ions of chemicals to pass through the semi-permiable membrane of cells and generate subsequent reactions. The goal of any anticonvulsant is the reduction of excess neuronal particles that fire rapidly during a seizure...... middle of article...... Chemical Research in Toxicology 9 (2), 517- 526.Lauri Peura, Kalle Malmioja, Krista Laine, Jukka Leppnen, Mikko Gynther, Antti Isotalo, Jarkko Rautio (2011). Large valproic acid amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) prodrugs: new ideas for prodrug design for central nervous system delivery. Article on molecular pharmacy as soon as possible. Jianxun Li, Daniel L. Norwood. (1990). Mitochondrial metabolism of valproic acid. Biochemistry 30, 388-394. Nieves C. Comelli, Rosana M. Lobayan, Eduardo A. Castro, Alicia H. Jubert. (2011). Study of the structural and electronic properties of valproic acid and new derivatives used as anticonvulsant agents. The Journal of Physical Chemistry 115 (9), 1686-1700Ali R. Tabatabaei and Frank S. Abbott. (1999). Evaluation of the mechanism of metabolism-dependent valproic acid-induced in vitro cytotoxicity. Chemical research in toxicology 12 (4), 323-330