title: CNS-active drugs in aging population at high risk of cerebrovascular events: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
abstract: The recovery process following cerebral insults such as stroke is affected by aging and pharmacotherapy. The use of medication including CNS-active drugs has increased in the elderly during recent years. However, surprisingly little is known about how safe they are with respect to severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments or recovery of function following possible cerebrovascular accidents. This review examines the experimental and clinical literature, primarily from 1995 onwards, concerning medication in relation to cerebrovascular events and functional recovery. Special attention is directed to polypharmacy and to new CNS-active drugs, which the elderly are already taking or are prescribed to treat emerging, stroke-induced psychiatric symptoms. The neurobiological mechanisms affected by these drugs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Chuan-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartikainen
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schallert
authors.forename: Juhani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sivenius
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jolkkonen
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents