2005 issue 1

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Volume 21, issue 1

Article

Role of pharmacology in neurorehablitation

Jacek Zaborski1, Wojciech Wicha1
1. II Klinika Neurologiczna Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
Farmakoterapia w Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 2005, 1, 71-80
Keywords: pharmacotherapy, stroke, brain trauma, rehabilitation

Abstract

After stroke and brain trauma approximately 90% of patients experience some persistent neurological disability. A main role in rehabilitation play physiotherapy and neuropsychological therapy. For many years due to limited effectiveness of rehabilitation, pharmacological methods to enhance results are researched. Now days is supposed that main role in enhance of brain plasticity plays activation of alfaadrenergic system as results of increased level of norepinephirne, dopamine and serotonin. On the theoretical backgrounds the possibility of use selected drugs in clinical practice to enhance effectiveness of neurorehablitation could be possible. Those drugs may potentially promote recovery when added to a regimen of physiotherapy. The results of animal experiments and clinical trials remain unclear and now are not possible to recommended one drug to enhance neurological rehabilitation. There are: stimulants as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as, levodopa, fluoxetine. Other drugs, such benzodiazepines, antiepileptic drugs, neuropleptics and alfa agonists such doxazosine and prasosine may have determined effect on neurological improvement. Therefore clinicians should avoid prescribing these drugs in patients undergoing neurological rehabilitation.