title: Double-blind treatment of apathy in patients with poststroke depression using nefiracetam.
abstract: Nefiracetam is a novel pyrrolidone-type nootropic compound shown in preliminary trials to increase blood flow and improve patient outlook and energy following stroke. Of 137 stroke patients with major depression, 70 also met published diagnostic criteria for apathy (51.1%) and were randomly assigned either to placebo or 600 mg or 900 mg of nefiracetam per day, and received at least 4 weeks of treatment. Using the group with at least 4 weeks of treatment as the intention-to-treat sample with last observation carried forward, repeated measures analysis of variance of Apathy Scale scores demonstrated a significant time-by-treatment interaction. Patients taking 900 mg nefiracetam had a significantly greater change in Apathy Scale scores compared to 600 mg of nefiracetam or placebo. Future studies should assess whether apathy without depression may respond to this novel treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. robert-robinson@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Ricardo E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Clarence-Smith
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Starkstein
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; C058876:nefiracetam