4-Aminopyridine induces functional improvement in multiple sclerosis patients: a neurophysiological study.

Abstract

This study reports on the neurophysiological measurements that were performed in the context of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with intravenously administered 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in 70 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS). A beneficial effect of 4-AP was found for both visual evoked response and eye movement registration parameters. This study extends the experimental data obtained on animal nerve fibers, showing that 4-AP can improve impulse conduction in demyelinated nerve, to clinical data which indicate that 4-AP induces an objective improvement in the central nervous system function in MS-patients. It thereby also provides a theoretical basis for clinical efficacy of 4-AP in MS.

• Authors: H A van Diemen, C H Polman, M M van Dongen, J J Nauta, R L Strijers, A C van Loenen, F W Bertelsmann, J C Koetsier
• Journal: Journal of the neurological sciences (J Neurol Sci) Vol. 116 Issue 2 Pg. 220-6 (Jun 1993) ISSN: 0022-510X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 8336169 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 4-Aminopyridine

Topics

• 4-Aminopyridine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Double-Blind Method
• Electrophysiology
• Evoked Potentials, Visual (drug effects, physiology)
• Eye Movements (drug effects, physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Neural Conduction (drug effects, physiology)
• Pursuit, Smooth (drug effects, physiology)