Promising pharmacological agents in the management of acute spinal cord injury.
The search for a pharmacologic treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) dates back to the 1960s. It was not until 1990 that the pharmacologic agent methylprednisolone demonstrated improved outcomes in humans. Methylprednisolone has shown superiority to placebo in humans in two large, multicenter trials, and is the standard of care thus far. Other potentially useful agents include tirilazad, ganglioside (GM-1), and naloxone. Additional studies are needed for these agents to determine the optimal dose and timing of administration.
Seidl
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Department of Pharmacy, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009270:Naloxone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011281:Pregnatrienes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000975:Antioxidants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011281:Pregnatrienes; D009270:Naloxone; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D008775:Methylprednisolone; C053355:tirilazad