title: A review of cholinergic agents in the treatment of neurobehavioral deficits following traumatic brain injury.
abstract: Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently results in significant handicap, empirical investigations of pharmacological treatment of the neurobehavioral sequelae of TBI are rare. This review presents evidence that supports hypotheses of a cholinergic mechanism underlying some neurobehavioral sequelae of TBI, as well as a critical review of the preliminary evidence supporting the efficacy of cholinergic agents in TBI. Despite numerous methodological limitations, preliminary evidence exists for the efficacy of cholinergic agents in ameliorating attention and memory deficits following TBI. The authors highlight the need for large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that include a broad range of cognitive and behavioral outcome measures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA. stefanie-griffin@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Stefanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Reekum
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masanic
mesh_terms: D000647:Amnesia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018678:Cholinergic Agents