title: A controlled long-term study with ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine) in healthy, elderly volunteers: results after three years.
abstract: A long-term clinical comparison of the effects of ergoloid mesylates and placebo on 148 healthy elderly volunteers of both sexes was analyzed after three years of study. At that point, 99 subjects (53 receiving ergoloid mesylates and 46, placebo) were still being treated under double-blind conditions, while the remainder either had dropped out or continued to participate under open conditions. Many subjects in both groups were healthier after the three years than they had been at the onset of the study: subjective symptoms such as tiredness and dizziness were reduced, performances on tests of intelligence were improved, and some abnormal laboratory values had normalized. Blood pressures increased on the average during the investigational period and pulse rates became slower. The ergoloid mesylate regimen was well tolerated objectively and subjectively. Additional medical and psychologic improvements were noted in the group treated with ergoloid mesylates concerning cardiovascular parameters, cholesterol levels, subjective symptoms, and performances on tests of intelligence. These intermediate findings are interpreted as showing a preventive effect of ergoloid mesylates against some of the debilitating physical and psychologic concomitants of aging.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D004088:Dihydroergotoxine