dihydroergotoxine and Alcoholism

Chronic alcohol abusers show a specific pattern of cerebral damage associated with cognitive and behavioral defects known as the organic cerebral psychosyndrome, which is partially reversible upon discontinuation of ethanol consumption. To assess the potential of nootropic drug therapy in alcohol rehabilitation in a double-blind study design, 56 consecutive patients who participated in routine rehabilitation therapy received 2 x 3 mg/day dihydroergocristine or placebo in tablet form over 6-13 weeks. Forty-nine patients completed the protocol. Although significant improvement was seen in both groups, we could document a specific cognitive restitution effect attributable to dihydroergocristine. Significant differences in favor of the active drug group were demonstrated by Mini-Mental State Examination, Syndrome Brief Test, Paired Words Test, in the neuropsychiatric Brief Cognitive Rating Scale assessments, and in the Clinical Global Impression of Change rating. No significant between-group differences were found in the Digit Symbol Test and the Block Design Test as well as in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Dihydroergocristine was equivalent to placebo in terms of subjective drug tolerance, lack of side effects, and laboratory parameters. Based on this profile of efficacy and safety, we recommend dihydroergocristine as an adjuvant drug in alcohol rehabilitation.

Topics: Adult; Alcoholism; Dihydroergotoxine; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nootropic Agents; Substance-Related Disorders

The influence of several nootropic drugs (piracetam, pyritinol, meclofenoxat, methylglucamine orotate (MGO) and dihydroergotoxine (DHET) on both the ethanol preference and the enhanced seizure susceptibility after a single dose of ethanol was studied. Piracetam, MGO and DHET reduce the ethanol drinking in ethanol-preferring mice. The enhanced seizure susceptibility after a single dose of ethanol was abolished by piracetam and MGO.

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Animals; Dihydroergotoxine; Ethanol; Male; Meglumine; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Orotic Acid; Piracetam; Seizures; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Synapses; Trapidil

Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Alcoholism; Animals; Dihydroergotoxine; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Mice; Time Factors

The number of suicides is in alcoholics nearly ten times as high as in the average population. Alcoholics with depression, organic psychosyndrome and marital conflicts tend to commit suicide in a high rate. By a therapy referring to these high risk factors the development to suicide can be prevented.

Topics: Alcoholism; Depression; Dihydroergotoxine; Family; Humans; Psychotherapy; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; Tissue Extracts