HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Effectiveness of gabapentin in controlling spasticity: a quantitative study.

Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study the effectiveness of gabapentin in controlling spasticity in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a surface EMG-based quantitative assessment technique called the brain motor control assessment (BMCA). Six men from a Veterans Affairs Medical Center with spasticity due to traumatic SCI were studied as part of a multi-center, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial of gabapentin. Spasticity was evaluated using multi-channel surface EMG recordings of muscles in the lower extremities, abdomen and low back before and during treatment with oral gabapentin or placebo. Gabapentin or placebo was given orally in doses 400 mg three times daily for 48 h. Following a 10 day wash-out period subjects were crossed-over to receive the medication not received the first time. This was followed by an elective open-label extension. Group results during the controlled trial did not reach statistical significance at the dosage used. One subject demonstrated a dramatic improvement in spasticity that was apparent both clinically and with the BMCA. Other subjects demonstrated modest improvements which were seen in the BMCA but not recognized clinically. During the open label extension, the four subjects who participated experienced important clinical improvements with higher doses (to 3600 mg/day). These improvements were often in components of spasticity in which the BMCA had detected subclinical changes during the cross-over trial. A seventh subject was studied using the BMCA at doses of 1200 mg T.I.D. gabapentin, off gabapentin and 800 mg T.I.D. gabapentin and demonstrated quantitatively a dose-related effect with higher doses of gabapentin which matched clinical observations. Gabapentin at doses of 400 mg T.I.D. may be effective in controlling some features of spasticity in persons with SCI. Higher doses provide greater control of spasticity, and controlled studies using higher doses are needed to evaluate gabapentin's efficacy.
AuthorsM M Priebe, A M Sherwood, D E Graves, M Mueller, W H Olson
JournalSpinal cord (Spinal Cord) Vol. 35 Issue 3 Pg. 171-5 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 1362-4393 [Print] England
PMID9076868 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
Chemical References
  • Acetates
  • Amines
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Parasympatholytics
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin
Topics
  • Acetates (therapeutic use)
  • Adult
  • Amines
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electromyography
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement (physiology)
  • Muscle Spasticity (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
  • Parasympatholytics (therapeutic use)
  • Spinal Cord Injuries (complications)
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: