Pharmacotherapy in stroke rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND
Pharmacotherapy is commonly given to patients recovering from a stroke to prevent further complications (e.g. recurrent stroke, seizures) or enhance recovery. However, some drugs may have a negative impact on neuroplasticity.


OBJECTIVE
This review examines currently used drugs that are believed to promote recovery from motor and cognitive disturbances associated with stroke.


METHODS
Literature regarding the properties, efficacy, safety, and dosing of drugs used to promote recovery after stroke was reviewed.


RESULTS
The data on pharmacotherapy are insufficient to support a claim of significantly improved rehabilitation outcomes. Moreover, a growing body of evidence indicates that some agents can impair functional reorganization and slow the recovery process. However, a few chemicals are reported to be beneficial for stroke rehabilitation. The most promising are noradrenergic and dopaminergic agents, as well as several growth factors; these should be the future focus of extensive randomized clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently there is no drug with proven efficacy in enhancing poststroke recovery.
Członkowska
Anna
A
Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2nd Dept of Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland. czlonkow@ipin.edu.pl
Leśniak
Marcin
M
D006801:Humans; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018697:Nootropic Agents