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An Ergot Alkaloid Preparation (Hydergine) in the Treatment of Presenile Brain Atrophy (Alzheimer's Disease): Case Report
Author(s) -
Burian Ernst
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1974.tb01524.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atrophy , disease , surgery , anesthesia
An ergot alkaloid preparation, Hydergine, when used therapeutically for arteriosclerotic brain disease and after cerebrovascular accidents usually has a beneficial effect. Thus Hydergine was used on the Intermediate Care Service of a Veterans Administration hospital to treat 21 such patients. The dosage of Hydergine was two 0.5‐mg tablets sublingually three times daily for ninety days. A good response was obtained in 62 per cent. Because of this encouraging result, 4 patients with presenile brain atrophy (Alzheimer's disease) were treated similarly. Of these 4 patients, 2 improved and 2 did not. One of the 2 who improved was a 62‐year‐old man who had become a total nursing‐care problem. Alzheimer's disease was confirmed by brain biopsy. His response to Hydergine was so dramatic that his case is reported here. The improvement and the absence of side effects justify further trials of Hydergine in presenile brain atrophy.