ALPHA(2)-ADRENOCEPTORS IN THE TREATMENT OF DEMENTIA - AN ATTENTIONAL MECHANISM

Drugs acting on the noradrenergic alpha(2)-adrenoceptors have been pos tulated to improve cognitive function in dementias such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and Korsakoff's disease. Furthermore, research from our own group has suggested a novel therapeutic use for alpha(2) -antagonists in treatment of the cognitive symptomatology of patients suffering from dementia of frontal type (DFT). Relatively selective id azoxan-induced changes in performance were found in these patients on tests previously found to be sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction, su ggestive of a direct effect of alpha(2)-agents on frontal lobe functio n. However, the possibility is also discussed that this effect may act ually be due to an action on underlying attentional mechanisms, which may themselves be dependent on pre-frontal functioning. These results not only provide a rationale for the pharmacological treatment of DFT, but also contribute to the theoretical understanding of the psychopha rmacological effects of alpha(2)-agents.