dihydroergotoxine and Cognition-Disorders

The most widely known substances that have been investigated for treating cognitive deterioration in the aged are cerebral vasodilators, Gerovital H3, psychostimulants, "nootropics," neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters. The rationale for the choice of specific agents has shifted as our conceptions regarding the origins of cognitive decline have changed; we now know that most cognitive deterioration occurs independently of arteriosclerotic vascular changes. Substances currently being investigated because of their effects on brain electrophysiology, on neurohumoral processes, or on central neurotransmitters show promise.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Methylphenidate; Parasympathomimetics; Peptides; Piracetam; Procaine; Vasodilator Agents

Purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of dihydroergocristine (DHEC, CAS 17479-19-5) at three different dosages, when administered to aged patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type. Eighty patients, 48 males and 32 females, aged 55-80 years, affected with senile organic brain syndrome, were admitted to the trial. Clinical evaluation was made by SCAG (Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale). Inclusion criteria considered patients presenting at the basal evaluation a total SCAG score between 60 and 90, with stressed impairment of cognitive function. All the patients were divided in four groups and treated with DHEC 1.5, 3, 6 mg/d or placebo for three months. The evaluation of the total SCAG score demonstrated a significant activity of the drug compared vs placebo, and a dose-related effect. Also for the single clusters it was demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) dose/effect relation, except for the "affective" one; on the contrary "cognitive functioning" cluster displayed the best benefit. The drug was very well tolerated, as only some cases of dyspepsia, mild gastralgia and nausea were reported in some patients.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurocognitive Disorders

The aim of this 3-month study was to assess the activity of dihydroergocristine (DHEC, CAS 17479-15-5) on organic brain syndrome. DHEC is an ergot alkaloid derivative with a dopaminergic activity on the central nervous system (CNS). It improves cerebral metabolism and increases the bioelectric potential in the cerebral cortex. The randomized double-blind trial versus placebo involved 240 outpatients (138 females and 102 males, mean age 68 years) recruited in 6 hospitals. Subjects with Hachinski Ischemic Score > 6 and Mini Mental State < 22 were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups of 60 subjects each to receive either one 6-mg DHEC oral vial or placebo vial, or one 6-mg DHEC tablet or placebo tablet once daily for 3 months. Neuropsychological tests were performed at baseline, and then after 45 and 90 days of treatment. The statistical analysis of results showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) between DHEC and placebo groups with regard to the following tests: "Scale of Clinical Assessment for Geriatrics (SCAG), Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Toulouse-Pieron, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Rey's Words". The amelioration of clinical symptoms pointed out the equivalence of DHEC oral vials and tablets. The drug was well tolerated. It is concluded that DHEC is an effective and safe drug in the treatment or organic brain syndrome.

Topics: Aged; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Neurocognitive Disorders; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

This double-blind study of dihydroergocristine (DHEC, CAS 17479-19-5) versus placebo was performed in 240 elderly patients affected by chronic cerebrovascular disease or organic brain syndrome. The therapy was carried on for one year. Results pointed out a decrease of SCAG total score and a significant improvement of the target items "confusion, mental alertness and memory performance" after DHEC versus placebo. Furthermore the data show that DHEC maintained its activity throughout the 12-month trial period. Very few and mild side-effects were reported for both groups, thus confirming the well known good safety of the compound. Based on results of this 1-year investigation, it is concluded that DHEC treatment should not be abruptly interrupted, but continued for as long as possible.

Topics: Aged; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders; Middle Aged

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Middle Aged

A double-blind study of 24 weeks' duration was conducted to investigate the effects of ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine) on symptoms of senile mental deterioration. Fifty-eight residents of old people's homes were included in the trial. Thirty were treated with ergoloid mesylates and 28 with placebo, and the effects of treatment were determined by means of medical and psychological examinations. On the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale, the group receiving ergoloid mesylates showed significant improvement in all items. The group receiving placebo showed slight deterioration. Psychological examination showed that no changes were observed for either group in quantitative psychometric test results, although qualitative aspects of performance such as attention and concentration did improve. There was a close correlation between improved cognitive function scores on the SCAG and improved evaluations of behavior during the psychological examinations. There were marked individual differences in the degrees of improvement.

Topics: Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Dihydroergotoxine; Double-Blind Method; Female; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Male; Placebos; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychological Tests

The most widely known substances that have been investigated for treating cognitive deterioration in the aged are cerebral vasodilators, Gerovital H3, psychostimulants, "nootropics," neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters. The rationale for the choice of specific agents has shifted as our conceptions regarding the origins of cognitive decline have changed; we now know that most cognitive deterioration occurs independently of arteriosclerotic vascular changes. Substances currently being investigated because of their effects on brain electrophysiology, on neurohumoral processes, or on central neurotransmitters show promise.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Methylphenidate; Parasympathomimetics; Peptides; Piracetam; Procaine; Vasodilator Agents

A study was based on the survey of 419 neurologists and 1189 their patients with different forms of cerebrovascular diseases using a specially developed questionnaire. In most cases, vasobral was used as a monotherapy or in a complex treatment. Twenty-two percent of physicians reported that vasobral was the most effective compared to other drugs. The good tolerability of treatment (18%) and the broad spectrum of indications and clinical effects (17%) were reported as well. The large percentage (75%) of patients indicated the positive effect of vasobral on memory, reasoning, vertigo etc The maximal effect was identified in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment caused by chronic brain ischemia and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Vasobral is recommended for a use in a complex therapy in patients with more severe brain lesions and cognitive deficit.

Topics: Caffeine; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Memory; Patients; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vertigo

The study was conducted on 64 Charles Foster strain albino rats, which were equally distributed into 8 evenly matched groups, following a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, by varying three independent factors at two levels: nutrition--normal and undernutrition; environment--enrichment and impoverishment, and drug treatment--vehicle and dihydroergotoxine (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Prenatal undernutrition was induced by restricting the mother's food intake. The environmental enrichment/impoverishment and the vehicle/dihydroergotoxine treatments were given during the postweaning period of the pups. The rats were subjected to original and subsequent reversal brightness discrimination learning tests in a single unit T-maze at 8-9 weeks of age. Thereafter, the animals were tested for passive avoidance learning. The results indicate that undernutrition caused significant original and reversal discrimination learning, deficits whereas environmental deprivation attenuated only the original discrimination learning performance. Dihydroergotoxine treatment facilitated the learning performance of rats in both the original and reversal learning tests. Nutritional, environmental and dihydroergotoxine treatments had no effect on the retention of the passive avoidance learning, both at 24 hr and 1 week intervals. Dihydroergotoxine treatment attenuated the learning deficits induced by prenatal undernutrition. The results indicate that dihydroergotoxine is not likely to be useful in cognitive deficits, induced by malnutrition, though it facilitated learning acquisition, since it had no effect on retention.

Topics: Animals; Cognition Disorders; Dihydroergotoxine; Female; Learning; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Rats; Vasodilator Agents

A total of 800 physicians practising general medicine, internal medicine and neurology tested the dihydroergotoxin preparation Orphol Drops for a period of six weeks at a daily dose of 30 drops 3 times daily in 8940 patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. The "cerebral symptom" complex showed the best results with improved findings in 94.5% of cases. The overall assessment of therapy by the doctors in the "psychological findings" complex showed improved findings in 85.7% of the patients affected after 6 weeks' treatment. The third complex, "harmonization of environmental relations" still showed improved findings in 71.6% of the affected patients. The sustained improvements in all three "complexes" were striking, also in the second period of the trial, which emphasizes the importance of longterm therapy of deficiency symptoms in cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Topics: Aged; Anxiety Disorders; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Depression; Dihydroergotoxine; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Tolerance; Headache; Humans; Hypoxia; Memory; Vertigo