naloxone and Dementia

There have been conflicting reports on the effects of naloxone hydrochloride in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). In addition, none of the naloxone studies in DAT used doses of 2.0 mg/kg or more, the amount necessary to produce reliable cognitive and behavioral changes in young normal subjects. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 12 patients with DAT were administered naloxone hydrochloride in doses of 5 micrograms/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, and 2.0 mg/kg, with detailed evaluation of its behavioral and cognitive effects using measures selected for their potential relevance to DAT and the known effects of blockade of endogenous opiate systems. None of the measures of motor performance, attention, memory, learning, or recognition showed improvement with naloxone. Increased inappropriate verbal productions were noted after 0.1 mg/kg of naloxone hydrochloride. Patients became irritably activated after this dose, which may account for the altered verbal behavior in this study and also for some of the changes suggesting cognitive improvement in prior studies. Differences in the sensitivity and dose dependency of the behavioral effects in patients with DAT compared with prior studies in young normal subjects merit further investigation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Behavior; Cognition; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Naloxone; Psychological Tests

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dementia; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Naloxone; Psychometrics

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dementia; Humans; Learning; Memory; Naloxone

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Antidepressive Agents; Antipsychotic Agents; Brain; Dementia; Diagnosis, Differential; Dihydroergotoxine; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Naloxone

We present 2 cases in which naloxone, the opioid antagonist, produced urinary urgency. The mechanism of action and possible therapeutic applications are discussed.

Topics: Aged; Dementia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Naloxone; Parkinson Disease; Syndrome; Urination Disorders

Topics: Cognition; Dementia; Humans; Naloxone

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Benzyl Alcohols; Dementia; Drug Combinations; Health Services for the Aged; Humans; Naloxone; Physician's Role; Physostigmine; Washington

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Naloxone; Physostigmine

Topics: Acetylcholine; Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Dementia; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Microcirculation; Naloxone; Oxygen Consumption; Tetrahydrofolates; Ubiquinone