Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
A placebo-controlled crossover design, with each treatment period lasting 6 weeks, was used to investigate effects of dronabinol in 15 patients with a diagnosis of probable Alzhemer's disease who were refusing food. Eleven patients completed both study periods; one patient who died of a heart attack 2 weeks before the end of the study was also included in the analysis. The study was terminated in 3 patients: one developed a grand mal seizure and 2 developed serious intercurrent infections. Body weight of study subjects increased more during the dronabinol treatment than during the placebo periods. Dronabinol treatment decreased severity of disturbed behavior and this effect persisted during the placebo period in patients who received dronabinol first. Adverse reactions observed more commonly during the dronabinol treatment than during placebo periods included euphoria, somnolence and tiredness, but did not require discontinuation of therapy. These results indicate that dronabinol is a promising novel therapeutic agent which may be useful not only for treatment of anorexia but also to improve disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Volicer
L
L
E. N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Bedford, MA 01730, USA.
Stelly
M
M
Morris
J
J
McLaughlin
J
J
Volicer
B J
BJ
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000855:Anorexia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019167:Appetite Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D019167:Appetite Stimulants; D013759:Dronabinol