Examination of the cognitive effects of cimetidine in normal elderly volunteers

The authors evaluated the cognitive effects of acute challenges with the H- 2 receptor-antagonist cimetidine in normal older volunteers. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 12 volunteers, avera ge age 71.25 years. Baseline assessment was followed by randomized administ ration of a placebo or ascending doses of cimetidine (400 mg, 800 mg, or 1, 600 mg) in test sessions separated by 1 week. Cognitive performance was eva luated with a 1-hour battery of tests beginning 90 minutes after administra tion of a single dose of drug (or placebo). There were no significant cogni tive decrements associated with cimetidine. Despite numerous case reports o f cognitive toxicity; this study found no observable decrements in cognitiv e performance in a group of healthy elderly subjects; therefore, case repor ts in the literature may be reporting effects for patients with specific im pairments or sensitivities.