title: Intracerebroventricular bethanechol chloride administration in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: In June 1983 we began evaluating intracerebroventricular (ICV) cholinergic drug infusion in patients with biopsy-documented Alzheimer's disease (AD). An initial trial in four patients showed this treatment approach to be feasible, but objective improvement in cognitive or social function was not documented. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving a larger number of patients has since been done. The results of this study, presented here, document a statistically significant improvement in some neuropsychological test results during periods of drug infusion. However, the degree of improvement is not sufficient to justify further treatment with the presently available drug, bethanechol chloride.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D018723:Bethanechol; D001626:Bethanechol Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps / Q000009:adverse effects; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D001626:Bethanechol Compounds; D018723:Bethanechol