Blepharospasm--successful treatment with baclofen and sodium valproate. A case report.

In a patient with idiopathic blepharospasm treatment with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mimetic combination of baclofen and sodium valproate resulted in complete and sustained remission of symptoms and signs. It is suggested that blepharospasm results from a relative deficiency of GABA-ergic neurons and dopamine predominance in the striatum, and that treatment with the GABA-mimetic agents (baclofen and sodium valproate) represents a more physiological means of reducing dopaminergic predominance in the striatum. This report, together with previous reports, suggests that the combination of these two agents should be tried in the initial management of this syndrome.