Physostigmine in familial ataxias.
Physostigmine was given to 12 patients with various spincerebellar degenerations, and neurologic examinations were recorded on video tapes and assessed on a semiquantitative scale. Forty minutes after a single dose, the scores improved by 35.7 +/- 4.7 percent (means +/- SEM). Eight patients were then studied over sequential 3-month periods by a randomized double-blind trial of physostigmine versus placebo. With physostigmine, scores were 33.9 +/- 8.3 percent better than before treatment or with placebo. Further investigations of cholinergic drugs seem warranted in patients with these diseases.
D001259:Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005621:Friedreich Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002527:Myoclonic Cerebellar Dyssynergia / Q000188:drug therapy; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D010830:Physostigmine