title: Neurophysiological studies of L-acetylcarnitine administration in man.
abstract: Systemic administration of L-acetylcarnitine HCl (LAC) increases in human subjects the amplitude of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) obtained with patterned elements of 7.5 min of visual angle, of steady-state VEPs obtained with intermittent luminous stimulation, of EEG theta, alpha and beta bands. The latency of the "cognitive" P300 potential obtained with an auditory "oddball" paradigm was also reduced by LAC injection, while the amplitude of this potential was increased. These results were obtained in control volunteers and in patients affected by different forms of dementias. The modifications induced by LAC appear 10-15 min after the i.v. injection and last for 50-90 min. These results parallel previously described findings of animal experiments and suggest an effect of LAC on cholinergic neurotransmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gambi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onofrj
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calvani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faricelli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Del Re
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bazzano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cutarella
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fulgente
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Colangelo
mesh_terms: D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine