Memory enhancement in Korsakoff's psychosis by clonidine: further evidence for a noradrenergic deficit.

Abstract

Three drugs, d-amphetamine, clonidine, and methysertide, which presumably enhance central noradrenergic activity by different pharmacological mechanisms, were administered to eight patients with the Korsakoff syndrome in a two-week subacute, double-blind, counterbalanced experiment to study the effects of these agents on memory function as measured by a neuropsychological test battery. Of the drugs tested, only clonidine, a putative alpha-noradrenergic agonist, was associated with significant improvement in memory. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that damage to ascending norepinephrine-containing neurons in the brainstem and diencephalon may be the basis for amnesia in Korsakoff's psychosis.

• Authors: W J McEntee, R G Mair
• Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol) Vol. 7 Issue 5 Pg. 466-70 (May 1980) ISSN: 0364-5134 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6994586 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Clonidine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Norepinephrine
• Methysergide

Topics

• Adult
• Alcohol Amnestic Disorder (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Clonidine (therapeutic use)
• Dextroamphetamine (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Memory (physiology)
• Methysergide (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Neural Pathways (physiopathology)
• Norepinephrine (physiology)