title: Partial motor restoration upon administration of sildenafil: a case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extensive research in the past decade has confirmed that the adult brain maintains some plasticity, including neural cell birth, migration and integration. Pre-clinical data strongly suggest that phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors promote cerebral neovascularization and neurogenesis. Animal studies of cerebral stroke suggest potential regenerative benefits following treatment with sildenafil citrate, a PDE5 inhibitor. This study reports a case in which compassionate use of sildenafil was investigated as a treatment to improve physical functioning, more than 4 decades after development of spastic quadriplegia during the 1st-2nd year of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sildenafil 100 mg was administered every 24 hours for 7 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sildenafil treatment was associated with clinical (functional) improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The activity of sildenafil on cerebral neovascularization and neurogenesis may be the mechanism for the observed functional benefits.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. ninoter@aol.com
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cocchiarella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D057176:Compassionate Use Trials; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate