[Abstract] Effects of dextroamphetamine in subacute traumatic brain injury: A randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot study

 Abstract

Psychostimulants that affect neurotransmitters implicated in cognitive function and neural plasticity have potential to enhance the rate and extent of recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ten milligrams dextroamphetamine (DEX) or an identical placebo was administered daily for 3 weeks to 32 participants with moderate to severe TBI, engaged in inpatient rehabilitation, at a mean of 2 months post injury. A variety of outcome measures assessing cognitive function and overall functional status was administered at weekly intervals, to examine effect sizes that may inform a larger trial, and to evaluate safety. Results indicated trivial-to-small effect sizes for DEX-placebo differences, with the largest effects seen on speed of information processing (more improvement with DEX) and agitation (exacerbation with DEX). Examination of adverse events and vital signs suggested safety of DEX, but the pattern of results did not suggest accelerated recovery due to the drug. Future trials of DEX in this population need to consider the impact of floor effects of commonly used measures of cognitive and physical function, and the heterogeneity of TBI. Although the small sample precludes definitive conclusions, these findings are not encouraging with regard to clinical trials of DEX in subacute TBI.

Source: Effects of dextroamphetamine in subacute traumatic brain injury: A randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot study

[REPORT] Progress report on new antiepileptic drugs: A summary of the Eleventh Eilat Conference (EILAT XI) – Full Text HTML

Summary

The Eleventh Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)-EILAT XI, took place in Eilat, Israel from the 6th to 10th of May 2012.

About 100 basic scientists, clinical pharmacologists and neurologists from 20 countries attended the conference, whose main themes included “Indications overlapping with epilepsy” and “Securing the successful development of an investigational antiepileptic drug in the current environment”.

Consistent with previous formats of this conference, a large part of the program was devoted to a review of AEDs in development, as well as updates on AEDs introduced since 1994. Like the EILAT X report, the current manuscript focuses only on the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of AEDs that are currently in development. These include brivaracetam, 2-deoxy-glucose, ganaxolone, ICA-105665, imepitoin, NAX 801-2, perampanel and other AMPA receptor antagonists, tonabersat, valnoctamide and its homologue sec-propylbutylacetamide (SPD), VX-765 and YK3089.

Since the previous Eilat conference, retigabine (ezogabine) has been marketed and four newer AEDs in development (NAX 810-2, SPD, tonabersat and VX-765) are included in this manuscript.

Full Text HTML –> Progress report on new antiepileptic drugs: A summary of the Eleventh Eilat Conference (EILAT XI).

[ARTICLE] Applications of Brain–Machine Interface Systems in Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation – Full Text HTML

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, significantly impacting the quality of life (QOL) in survivors, and rehabilitation remains the mainstay of treatment in these patients.

Recent engineering and technological advances such as brain–machine interfaces (BMI) and robotic rehabilitative devices are promising to enhance stroke neurorehabilitation, to accelerate functional recovery and improve QOL.

This review discusses the recent applications of BMI and robotic-assisted rehabilitation in stroke patients. We present the framework for integrated BMI and robotic-assisted therapies, and discuss their potential therapeutic, assistive and diagnostic functions in stroke rehabilitation.

Finally, we conclude with an outlook on the potential challenges and future directions of these neurotechnologies, and their impact on clinical rehabilitation.

Full Text HTML–> Applications of Brain–Machine Interface Systems in Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation – Springer.