CNS-active drugs in aging population at high risk of cerebrovascular events: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
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.
Zhao
Chuan-Sheng
CS
Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Hartikainen
Sirpa
S
Schallert
Timothy
T
Sivenius
Juhani
J
Jolkkonen
Jukka
J
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
D002491:Central Nervous System Agents