The effect of piracetam on ataxia: clinical observations in a group of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia patients

Gunal D. I., Agan K., Afsar N., Borucu D., Us O.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS, cilt.33, sa.2, ss.175-178, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 33 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2008
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2008.00901.x
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.175-178
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: ataxia, autosomal dominant, cerebellar, piracetam, treatment, SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias are clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. There is no known treatment to prevent neuronal cell death in these disorders. Current treatment is purely symptomatic; ataxia is one of the most disabling symptoms and represents the main therapeutic challenge. A previous case report suggesting benefit from administration of high dose piracetam inspired the present study of the efficacy of this agent in patients with cerebellar ataxia. Piracetam is a low molecular weight derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Although little is known of its mode of action, its efficacy has been documented in a wide range of clinical indications, such as cognitive disorders, dementia, vertigo and dyslexia, as well as cortical myoclonus. The present report investigated the role of high dose piracetam in patients with cerebellar ataxia.