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Long-term and high-dose piracetam treatment of Alzheimer's disease
B. Croisile, MD, M. Trillet, MD, J.
Fondarai, PhD, B. Laurent, MD, F.
Mauguière, MD, PhD and M. Billardon, MD
Hôpital Neurologique (Dr. Croisile,
and Profs Trillet and Mauguière), Lyon; the Institut Laval, Hôpital
Sainte Marguerite (Prof. Fondarai), Marseille, Hôpital Bellevue
(Prof. Laurent), Saint Etienne; and Medical Department, UCB Pharma
(Dr. Billardon), Nanterre, France.
Preclinical research suggests that piracetam (a nootropic drug)
may improve cognitive functions, but previous studies have
failed to demonstrate a clear benefit for the treatment
of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We report a 1-year,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study
with a high dose of piracetam (8 g/d per os) in 33
ambulant patients with early probable AD. Thirty subjects
completed the 1-year study. No improvement occurred in either
group, but our results support the hypothesis that long-term
administration of high doses of piracetam might slow the
progression of cognitive deterioration in patients with
AD. The most significant differences concerned the recall
of pictures series and recent incident and remote memory.
The drug was well-tolerated.
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