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Alzheimer-type dementia and verbal memory performances: influence of selegiline therapy

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Abstract

In a double blind randomized crossover trial lasting 6 months selegiline, a selective MAO-B inhibitor, was tested against placebo for activity on verbal memory performances in Alzheimer-type dementia (DAT). Verbal memory was assessed with the Rey-Auditory-Verbal Learning Test at the start of treatment, at the time scheduled for crossover (90 days) and at the end of the trial (180 days). The results suggest that selegiline possesses significant activity on some memory parameters, which seems to depend on an improvement both in information processing abilities and in learning strategies at the moment of acquisition

Sommario

In uno studio doppio cieco cross-over, randomizzato verso placebo della durata di sei mesi, è stata analizzata l'influenza della selegilina, inibitore selettivo delle MAO-B, sulle prestazioni di memoria verbale di 22 pazienti con diagnosi clinica di demenza tipo Alzheimer (DAT). L'esame della memoria verbale è stato effettuato con il Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning test all'inizio del trattamento, dopo 90 giorni, momento previsto per il cross-over, e dopo 180 giorni, al termine della sperimentazione. I risultati suggeriscono una significativa efficacia della selegilina su alcuni parametri di memoria, che sembrano riconducibili ad un miglioramento sia delle capacità di elaborazione delle informazioni, sia delle strategie di apprendimento al momento dell'acquisizione.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Neuropsicologia Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Via E. Dal Pozzo, 06100, Perugia

    Finali G., Piccirilli M., Oliani C. & Piccinin G. L.

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  1. Finali G.
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  2. Piccirilli M.
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  3. Oliani C.
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  4. Piccinin G. L.
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Finali, G., Piccirilli, M., Oliani, C. et al. Alzheimer-type dementia and verbal memory performances: influence of selegiline therapy. Ital J Neuro Sci 13, 141–148 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226963

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226963

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