title: Amantadine: a potential treatment for the minimally conscious state.
abstract: Pharmacologic strategies have been advocated to enhance the neurorehabilitation of persons with severe traumatic brain injury. Dopaminergic pathways have been felt to play a significant role in arousal. Employing single case design methodology we present the case of a survivor of severe traumatic brain injury who appeared to have a dose dependent response to the pro-dopaminergic medication amantadine. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of pharmacotherapy in the improvement of functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Zafonte
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D003128:Coma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000145:classification; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000547:Amantadine