Double-blind crossover study with physostigmine in patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether treatment with physostigmine can improve the conditions of patients with ataxia.


METHODS
A double-blind crossover study with physostigmine was performed in 19 patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases.


METHODS
Patients were selected from an ongoing prospective follow-up study at the university hospital in Lübeck, Germany.


METHODS
Eleven patients with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia and 8 patients with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia.


METHODS
Physostigmine was administered by using a transdermal system (patch) containing 30 mg of physostigmine as a base, of which about 6 mg is released during 24 hours along a diffusion gradient. Each treatment phase with the physostigmine patch or the placebo lasted 4 weeks, after which the treatment of patients was crossed over to the other phase.


METHODS
Ataxia was documented and quantified by using a clinical score and posturographic measures.


RESULTS
Physostigmine patches had no significant effect on cerebellar symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with physostigmine does not improve the conditions of patients with ataxia.
Wessel
K
K
Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.
Langenberger
K
K
Nitschke
M F
MF
Kömpf
D
D
D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D010830:Physostigmine