pituitrin and Aphasia

Speech is an attribute of the human species. Central speech disorders following stroke are unique models for the investigation of the organization of speech. Achievements in neurobiology suggest that there are possible neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the organization of speech. It is known that the neuropeptide vasotocin, analogous of vasopressin in mammals, modulates various components of vocalization in animals. Furthermore, the positive influence of vasopressin on memory, which plays an important role in the formation of speech, has been described. In this study, speech organization processes and their recovery with the administration of vasopressin (1-desamino-8-D-arginin-vasopressin) to 26 patients with chronic aphasias after stroke were investigated. Results showed that sub-endocrine doses of the neuropeptide with intranasal administration had positive influence primarily on simple forms of speech and secondarily on composite forms. There were no statistically significant differences between the sensory and integrative components of the organization of speech processes with vasopressin. In all cases, the positive effect of the neuropeptide was demonstrated. As a result of the effects, speech regulated by both brain hemispheres improved. It is suggested that the neuropeptide optimizes the activity both in the left and right hemispheres, with primary influence on the right hemisphere. The persistence of the acquired effects is explained by an induction of compensatory processes resulting in the reorganization of the intra-central connections by vasopressin.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Aged; Aphasia; Brain; Cerebral Infarction; Comprehension; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Dominance, Cerebral; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Speech; Speech Perception; Speech Production Measurement; Vasopressins; Verbal Learning

Dynamic changes of speech function were studied in patients with persistence aphatic disorders after stroke under the conditions of application of V2 vasopressin receptor agonist (1-desamino-8-D-arginin-vasopressin). A course of intranasal administration of the medical drug by using the double blind control showed a reliable reduction of frustration severity of expressive and impressive speech in patients with aphasias of different forms and degrees. A correlation of positive influence of vasopressin on speech, verbal memory and attention was found at efferent motor aphasias. The achieved effects preserved during a two-year catamnestic observation period. A repeated course of therapy resulted in an additional improvement of speech. Neuropeptide restored initially, in patients with aphasias, relatively simple forms of speech and later--complicated ones. This resulted in an improvement of speech functions which are regulated by both cerebral hemispheres. Supposedly, neuropeptide optimized the activity of both the right and left cerebral hemispheres. The stability of the obtained effects is explained by induction, due to vasopressin, of compensatory processes leading to reorganization of intercentral connections.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Aphasia; Brain; Chronic Disease; Hemostatics; Humans; Middle Aged; Receptors, Vasopressin; Vasopressins

At residual stage of stroke 64 patients with different forms of aphasia were administered intranasally subendocrine doses of 1-desamino-8-D-argininvasopressin (adiuretin-SD). It was established that peptide activates expressive and impressive speech of patients. Improvement of speech occurred in 79% of cases.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Adult; Aged; Aphasia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasopressins