Neuropsychological effects of L-deprenyl in Alzheimer's type dementia.
The monoaminergic neurotransmission defect seen in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) is linked to a known increased activity of type B cerebral monoamine oxidases (MAO-Bs). The use of drugs that are able to block this abnormal activity could therefore be useful in the treatment of some cognitive deficits that characterize DAT. Twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of DAT and with a slight-moderate mental deterioration were treated with 10 mg/day of L-deprenyl, a selective MAO-B inhibitor, according to a double-blind crossover design vs. placebo. Initial treatment (drug or placebo) was randomly assigned. The patients' cognitive functions were evaluated at baseline and then after 3 and 6 months of treatment with drug or placebo. The patients crossed over treatment after 3 months, without a washout interval. The results of the study show the higher and statistically significant effects of L-deprenyl on memory and attention that seem to be due to an improved function of the monoaminergic systems involved in the process of neuronal degeneration.
Piccinin
G L
GL
Clinic of Neurology, Perugia University, Italy.
Finali
G
G
Piccirilli
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012642:Selegiline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010627:Phenethylamines; D012642:Selegiline; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase