title: The impairment index as a symptom-independent parameter of drug efficacy in geriatric psychopharmacology.
abstract: A method for the determination of drug efficacy in geriatric psychopharmacology is presented. Sixty patients with mild senile organic  brain syndrome were evaluated by a battery of neuropsychological tests. Subsequently these patients were randomly assigned to either drug or placebo treatment for 90 days. One group received 300 mg per day of Naftidrofuryl (Praxilene) while the other received identical placebo. Upon retest, the data indicated that Naftidrofuryl produced significant improvements in reaction time, short-term memory, and iconic memory. Ten neuropsychological test scores as well as two POMS mood factors were incorporated into an Impairment Index. This index was drug sensitive and proved to be symptom independent.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009257:Nafronyl / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D009257:Nafronyl