87032
document
The effects of amantadine and pemoline on cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis . BACKGROUND Amantadine hydrochloride and pemoline , both frequently used to treat the fatigue of multiple sclerosis ( MS ) , may also improve attention and other cognitive functions in MS. To our knowledge , these agents have never been compared in a placebo-controlled trial of patients with MS . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of amantadine and pemoline on cognitive functioning in MS. METHODS A total of 45 ambulatory patients with MS and severe fatigue were treated for 6 weeks with amantadine , pemoline , or placebo using a parallel group design . They underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing to determine treatment effects on cognitive functioning . Primary outcome measures were tests of attention ( Digit Span , Trail Making Test , and Symbol Digit Modalities Test ) , verbal memory ( Selective Reminding Test ) , nonverbal memory ( Benton Visual Retention Test ) , and motor speed ( Finger Tapping Test ) . RESULTS Fatigue did not significantly correlate with any of the neuropsychological outcome measures at baseline or after treatment . All three treatment groups improved on tests of attention ( P < .003 ) , verbal memory ( P < .001 ) , and motor speed ( P < .002 ) . There were no significant differences between amantadine , pemoline , and placebo . CONCLUSIONS Cognitive functioning in MS is independent of fatigue . Neither amantadine nor pemoline enhances cognitive performance in MS compared with placebo .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amantadine
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Intervention_Pharmacological
pemoline
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Amantadine hydrochloride
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Intervention_Pharmacological
pemoline
87037
Intervention_Pharmacological
amantadine and pemoline
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amantadine , pemoline
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amantadine
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Intervention_Pharmacological
pemoline
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Intervention_Control
placebo .
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Outcome_Mental
Digit Span , Trail Making Test , and Symbol Digit Modalities Test )
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Outcome_Mental
verbal memory ( Selective Reminding Test ) , nonverbal memory ( Benton Visual Retention Test ) ,
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Outcome_Mental
motor speed ( Finger Tapping Test )
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Outcome_Mental
Fatigue
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Outcome_Mental
tests of attention
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Outcome_Mental
verbal memory
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Outcome_Mental
motor speed
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Participant_Condition
patients with MS .