L-deprenyl in the treatment of mild dementia of the Alzheimer type: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the short-term cognitive and behavioral effects of L-deprenyl in persons with mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) over a 2-month period.


METHODS
A 15-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel-group design. This report deals with the first 2 months of the trial.


METHODS
39 subjects with mild DAT (CDR 1) selected using NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.


METHODS
A battery of neuropsychological tests and clinical rating scales.


RESULTS
The placebo and L-deprenyl subjects were similar at baseline on the clinical and neuropsychological tests. There was no evidence of a L-deprenyl effect on any clinical or neuropsychological measures after 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
L-deprenyl did not have a measurable impact on behavior or cognitive function over a 2-month period in this group of subjects with mild DAT.
Burke
W J
WJ
Creighton-Nebraska Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5575.
Ranno
A E
AE
Roccaforte
W H
WH
Wengel
S P
SP
Bayer
B L
BL
Willcockson
N K
NK
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012642:Selegiline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D012642:Selegiline