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Oxiracetam in the treatment of primary dementia of the Alzheimer's type: A small case series
Author(s) -
Dager Stephen R.,
Loebel J. Pierre,
Claypool Keith,
Case Mary,
Budech Christopher B.,
Dunner David L.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930071210
Subject(s) - discontinuation , dementia , medicine , cohort , neuropsychology , pediatrics , psychology , psychiatry , cognition , disease
A 16‐week open‐label trial of high‐dose oxiracetam (up to 3200 mg per day), was not clinically effective overall in treating a small cohort of patients with mild‐moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). However, one of six patients did demonstrate evidence of progressive clinical improvement followed by relapse after discontinuation of medication. Resumption of treatment with oxiracetam after a 6‐month interval was associated with a similar pattern of improvement on neuropsychological testing and enhanced social functioning which was sustained during an additional 5 years of treatment. Following death due to unrelated causes, brain histopathologic findings were consistent with late‐stage DAT despite the patient's sustained clinical improvement while under treatment with oxiracetam.