Cholinesterase inhibitors lack therapeutic effect in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A controlled study of physostigmine versus neostigmine.
Seven patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis participated in a double-blind cross-over trial of oral physostigmine and neostigmine (10 and 45 mg/day, respectively, for 3 days). Six of the patients were also given intravenous injections (1 and 1.5 mg, respectively) of the drugs in an open trial. No significant effects on muscle strength or neurophysiological parameters were observed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009388:Neostigmine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects
D009388:Neostigmine; D010830:Physostigmine