scholarly journals Safety of Nicergoline as an Agent for Management of Cognitive Function Disorders

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Saletu ◽  
Amit Garg ◽  
Ahsan Shoeb

Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot derivative and has a selective alpha-1A adrenergic receptor blocking property and also other additional mechanisms of actions, both in the brain and in the periphery. It is in clinical use for over three decades in over fifty countries for conditions such as cerebral infarction, acute and chronic peripheral circulation disorders, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease and has been found to be beneficial in a variety of other conditions. However, concerns about its safety have been raised, especially after the European medicines agency’s (EMEA’s) restriction in the use of all ergot derivatives including nicergoline. But, most of the available literature and data suggest that the adverse events with nicergoline are mild and transient. Further, none of the available treatment options for cognitive disorders afford definitive resolution of symptoms. In this backdrop, we discuss the pharmacology of nicergoline with special emphasis on the safety of this compound, especially when used in patients suffering from cognitive function disorders.

1971 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3

Since the introduction of propranolol (Inderal -ICI) two more β -adrenergic receptor blocking agents have become available for clinical use, practolol (Eraldin - ICI) and oxprenolol (Trasicor - Ciba). Both manufacturers claim that their product is less likely than propranolol to precipitate heart failure or asthma. All three drugs, although structurally similar, have different pharmacological properties which are summarised in the table. The use of the drugs in different clinical situations must therefore be considered separately.


The prevalence of cognitive impairment caused by neurodegenerative diseases and other neurologic disorders associated with aging is expected to rise dramatically between now and year 2050, when the population of Americans aged 65 or older will nearly double. Cognitive impairment also commonly occurs in other neurologic conditions, as well as in non-neurologic medical disorders (and their treatments), idiopathic psychiatric illnesses, and adult neurodevelopmental disorders. Cognitive impairment can thus infiltrate all aspects of healthcare, making it necessary for clinicians and clinical researchers to have an integrated knowledge of the spectrum of adult cognitive disorders. The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders is meant to serve as an up-to-date, scholarly, and comprehensive volume covering most diseases, conditions, and injuries resulting in impairments in cognitive function in adults. Topics covered include normal cognitive and brain aging, the impact of medical disorders (e.g., cardiovascular, liver, pulmonary) and psychiatric illnesses (e.g., depression and bipolar disorder) on cognitive function, adult neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), as well as the various neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, concussion). A section of the Handbook is also dedicated to unique perspectives and special considerations for the clinicians and clinical researchers, covering topics such as cognitive reserve, genetics, diversity, and neuroethics. The target audience of this Handbook includes: (1) clinicians, particularly psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists (including behavioral and cognitive neurologists), geriatricians, and psychiatrists (including neuropsychiatrists), who provide clinical care and management for adults with a diverse range of cognitive disorders; (2) clinical researchers who investigate cognitive outcomes and functioning in adult populations; and (3) graduate level students and post-doctoral trainees studying psychology, clinical neuroscience, and various medical specialties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Horvath ◽  
G. Kis ◽  
G. Kekesi ◽  
A. Büki ◽  
L. G. Adlan ◽  
...  

AbstractThe low efficacy of antipsychotic drugs (e.g., clozapine) for negative symptoms and cognitive impairment has led to the introduction of adjuvant therapies. Because previous data suggest the procognitive potential of the antidiabetic drug metformin, this study aimed to assess the effects of chronic clozapine and metformin oral administration (alone and in combination) on locomotor and exploratory activities and cognitive function in a reward-based test in control and a schizophrenia-like animal model (Wisket rats). As impaired dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) function might play a role in the cognitive dysfunctions observed in patients with schizophrenia, the second goal of this study was to determine the brain-region-specific D1R-mediated signaling, ligand binding, and mRNA expression. None of the treatments affected the behavior of the control animals significantly; however, the combination treatment enhanced D1R binding and activation in the cerebral cortex. The Wisket rats exhibited impaired motivation, attention, and cognitive function, as well as a lower level of cortical D1R binding, signaling, and gene expression. Clozapine caused further deterioration of the behavioral parameters, without a significant effect on the D1R system. Metformin blunted the clozapine-induced impairments, and, similarly to that observed in the control animals, increased the functional activity of D1R. This study highlights the beneficial effects of metformin (at the behavioral and cellular levels) in blunting clozapine-induced adverse effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 817-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Ko ◽  
Soi Moi Chye

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease that leads to significant morbidities in elderly. The major pathological hallmark of AD is beta-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) deposition in hippocampus of the brain. These abnormal protein deposition damages neuronal cells resulting in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. As a result of limited treatment options available for this disease, there is huge economic burden for patients and social health care system. Thus, alternative approaches (lifestyle intervention) to prevent this disease are extremely important. In this systemic review, we summarized epidemiological evidence of lifestyle intervention and the mechanisms involved in delaying and/or preventing AD. Lifestyle interventions include education, social engagement and cognitive stimulation, smoking, exercise, depression and psychological stress, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity and diet. The methods are based on a literature review of available sources found on the research topic in four acknowledged databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and PubMed. Results of the identified original studies revealed that lifestyle interventions have significant effects and our conclusion is that combination of early lifestyle interventions can decrease the risk of developing AD.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jintanaporn Wattanathorn ◽  
Jinatta Jittiwat ◽  
Terdthai Tongun ◽  
Supaporn Muchimapura ◽  
Kornkanok Ingkaninan

Cerebral ischemia is known to produce brain damage and related behavioral deficits including memory. Recently, accumulating lines of evidence showed that dietary enrichment with nutritional antioxidants could reduce brain damage and improve cognitive function. In this study, possible protective effect ofZingiber officinale, a medicinal plant reputed for neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress-related brain damage, on brain damage and memory deficit induced by focal cerebral ischemia was elucidated. Male adult Wistar rats were administrated an alcoholic extract of ginger rhizome orally 14 days before and 21 days after the permanent occlusion of right middle cerebral artery (MCAO). Cognitive function assessment was performed at 7, 14, and 21 days after MCAO using the Morris water maze test. The brain infarct volume and density of neurons in hippocampus were also determined. Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus was also quantified at the end of experiment. The results showed that cognitive function and neurons density in hippocampus of rats receiving ginger rhizome extract were improved while the brain infarct volume was decreased. The cognitive enhancing effect and neuroprotective effect occurred partly via the antioxidant activity of the extract. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the beneficial effect of ginger rhizome to protect against focal cerebral ischemia.


2021 ◽  
pp. 58-62
Author(s):  
G. V. Zyrina ◽  
T. A. Slyusa

The purpose of the study. To study clinical and neuroimaging features of chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) in polycythemia vera (PV).Materials and methods. 66 patients with PV were examined – the main group (43 men, 23 women; mean age 62.0 ± 3.4 years), of which 64 (97.0%) patients were diagnosed with CCI. The comparison group consisted of 85 patients with CCI (34 men, 51 women; mean age 67.7 ± 4.6 years), who developed against the background of cerebral vascular atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. To identify cognitive disorders, we used Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Insomnia was studied in accordance with the criteria of the International Classification of Sleep ICDS‑22005. The quality of sleep was determined using a questionnaire from the Federal Somnological Center. Neuroimaging (MRI of the brain) was performed on Siemens Symphony 1.5 T and GE Signa 1.5 T tomographs.Results. Subjective symptoms CCI are characterized by a greater representation of asthenic and insomniac disorders. Transient ischemic attacks in patients with PV are significantly more common than in the comparison group, their frequency depends on the duration of PV. The revealed changes in MRI of the brain in the majority of PV patients with CCI are characteristic of multiinfarction vascular encephalopathy; in the comparison group, changes that characteristic for subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy were more often recorded.


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