dihydroergotoxine and Brain-Diseases

Topics: Animals; Brain Diseases; Bromocriptine; Dihydroergotamine; Dihydroergotoxine; Dopamine Antagonists; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Female; Humans; Methysergide; Migraine Disorders; Parkinson Disease; Pituitary Gland; Prolactin; Receptors, Adrenergic; Receptors, Dopamine; Uterus; Vasoconstriction

A pilot-study to explore the efficacy of oral hydergine in seven cases of alcohol-related encephalopathy was undertaken. It showed significant improvement in symptoms of depression, plus some improvement in sleep disturbance and agitation, as measured by the Geriatric Profile (GP).

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Brain Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Depression; Dihydroergotoxine; Ethanol; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychomotor Agitation; Sleep

The effects on the substantia nigra of alpha-dihydroergocryptine (DEK), a drug with strong dopaminomimetic activity, were tested with a severe 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment in monkeys. Compared with monkeys treated with MPTP alone, the animals which received DEK plus MPTP showed reduced neuronal death in the substantia nigra. The reactive astrocytes were increased in number. Moreover, several axons which were immunopositive to phosphorylated neurofilament proteins and with features similar to those of control animals were seen in the pars compacta. The findings suggest that DEK preserves neuronal morphology and brain architecture.

Topics: 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; Animals; Axons; Brain Diseases; Dihydroergotoxine; Dopamine Agents; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Hematoxylin; Macaca fascicularis; Male; MPTP Poisoning; Neurofilament Proteins; Staining and Labeling; Substantia Nigra