Indicator Explainer
Valproic Acid
A synthetic derivative of propylpentanoic acid with antiepileptic properties and potential antineoplastic and antiangiogenesis activities. In epilepsy, valproic acid appears to act by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This agent's antitumor and antiangiogenesis activities may be related to the inhibition of histone deacetylases and nitric oxide synthase, which results in the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. (NCI04)
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C29536. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-20. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Valproic Acid (C29536)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C29536. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- The molecular footprint of valproic acid in human hippocampal organoid. — Mol Neurobiol, 2026-10-19 (PMID 42897295; literature)
- Therapeutic potential and toxicological trade-offs of nanoparticle-enhanced valproic acid in glioblastoma: Behavioral and oxidative insights. — Neuropharmacology, 2026-10-17 (PMID 42892490; literature)
- Expanded characterization of the valproic acid zebrafish larval model of autism spectrum disorder: Insights into dysregulation in the gut. — Animal Model Exp Med, 2026-10-16 (PMID 42888506; literature)
- In Utero Valproic Acid Exposure in Cryptorchidism Reports: Integrating FAERS, Toxicogenomics, Transcriptomics, and Mendelian Randomization. — J Vis Exp, 2026-10-13 (PMID 42872735; literature)
- Sex-dependent effects of imperatorin on autistic-like behaviors and BDNF signaling in rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. — IBRO Neurosci Rep, 2026-10-06 (PMID 42892986; literature)
- Meropenem as an antidote in severe valproic acid poisoning. — Emergencias, 2026-10-01 (PMID 42878306; literature)