An ergot alkaloid preparation (Hydergine) in the treatment of dementia: critical review of the clinical literature.
A critical review is presented of 12 clinical trials with Hydergine (a hydrogenated ergot alkaloid preparation) in the treatment of dementia. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of improvement in symptoms showed that Hydergine consistently produced statistically significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) improvement in 13 symptoms associated with dementia. However, because of the small magnitude of the improvement and the absence of indications of long-term benefit, Hydergine would seem to be of minor value in dementia therapy. Further research with better methodology and design might lead to a different conclusion.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004877:Ergoloid Mesylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009461:Neurologic Manifestations; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos; D011581:Psychological Tests
D010919:Placebos; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D004877:Ergoloid Mesylates