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.