ERGOLOIDS AND ISCHEMIC STROKES - EFFICACY AND MECHANISM OF ACTION

In this double-blind, randomized study the efficacy of the ergoloid co mpounds, co-dergocrine mesylate and nicergoline, in the rehabilitation of patients with ischaemic stroke was investigated. A group of 30 pat ients was treated daily with 60 mg nicergoline, orally, and a second g roup of 27 patients was given 1.8 - 6 mg co-dergocrine mesylate, orall y or intramuscularly, daily (depending on the time since the initial i schaemic insult) for 6 months. Outcome measures included: motoricity i ndex (limb function); Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric (SCAG) scal e; psychometric tests to assess functions such as attention, psychomot or performance, perception and sensory and short-term memory; conventi onal and computerized electroencephalography; and P300 and reaction ti me measures. The results showed improvements in some aspects such as l imb function (P < 0.05), SCAG score (P < 0.01) and some electrophysiol ogical parameters (P < 0.01) after treatment with both drugs. Though s tatistically significant most of the changes were not large. The effic acy of both drugs was qualitatively similar. The quantitative differen ce in some aspects in favour of nicergoline could be attributed to dif ferences in the mechanisms of action of the two drugs, although it is also possible that the difference may reflect the dosages used. Nootro pic drugs may induce a condition that facilitates the effects of cogni tive training.