[Glucocortioid treatment for heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy: a clinical controlled study].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of the glucocorticoid on heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy.


METHODS
Twenty cases of heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy were randomly divided into the control group and the treating group with equal number. In the control group, the treatment was constituted by oral administration of vitamin B and coenzyme Q10 in a course of 1 month. In glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoid (20 mg/d) for 10 d were given in addition to vitamin B and coenzyme Q10, and the dose of the glucocorticoid was gradually decreased afterwards. General observation and statistical analysis of function scores were performed in both groups before and 1, 6, 12 months after the treatment respectively.


RESULTS
No significant difference in function scores was observed between the 2 groups, while the results of observation before and after the treatment were significantly different (P<0.05). The most significant difference occurred when comparing the observations made 1 month and 6 months respectively after treatment (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Glucocorticoid has no obvious therapeutic effect on heroin-induced spongiform leucoencephalopathy, and rapid clinical recovery occurs within the initial 6 months of the treatment.
Zhou
Liang
L
Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Lu
Bing-xun
BX
Yin
Jia
J
Luo
Yi-feng
YF
Wang
Qun
Q
Liu
Xiao-jia
XJ
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003932:Heroin / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003932:Heroin