Amphetamine and other pharmacological agents in human and animal studies of recovery from stroke.

Abstract

Neuromodulation with pharmacological agents, including drugs of abuse such as amphetamine, when paired with behavioral experience, has been shown to positively modify outcomes in animal models of stroke. A number of clinical studies have tested the efficacy of a variety of drugs to enhance recovery of language deficit post-stroke. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) present pertinent animal studies supporting the use of dextro-amphetamine sulfate (AMPH) to enhance recovery after experimental lesions with emphasis on the importance of learning dependent activity for lasting recovery; (2) briefly review neuropharmacological explorations in the treatment of aphasia; (3) present a pilot study in aphasia exploring a drug combination of AMPH and donepezil hydrochloride paired with behavioral treatment to facilitate recovery; and (4) conclude with comments regarding the role of adjunctive pharmacotherapy in the rehabilitation of aphasia, particularly AMPH.

• Authors: D Walker-Batson, J Mehta, P Smith, M Johnson
• Journal: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 64 Pg. 225-30 (Jan 04 2016) ISSN: 1878-4216 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25896190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Neuroprotective Agents
• Amphetamine

Topics

• Amphetamine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Aphasia (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Recovery of Function (drug effects, physiology)
• Stroke (drug therapy, physiopathology)