Electroencephalographical effects of sarpogrelate hydrochloride versus ticlopidine hydrochloride in elderly patients with peripheral atherosclerosis.

The aim was to determine the efficacy of sarpogrelate (a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-2-serotonergic receptor antagonist) on cerebrovascular function and mean blood pressure (mBP) in elderly patients (> 60 years old). Patients with peripheral circulatory disorders were studied using electroencephalogram (EEG) and mBP measurements before and after 2 years' treatment with either sarpogrelate (n = 31) or ticlopidine (n = 43). Ticlopidine had no significant effect on the whole brain. Sarpogrelate decreased the percentage of slow waves (%slow), but not significantly, and was associated with a smaller change in the percentage of slow waves (delta slow). In the anterior area, neither drug caused significant EEG changes. In the posterior area, sarpogrelate significantly decreased the %slow and increased the %alpha values, and was associated with a significantly higher delta alpha value than ticlopidine. The results suggest that sarpogrelate hydrochloride can suppress serotonin-induced pathological processes in peripheral circulatory disorders and may be recommended as an anti-platelet agent, even in elderly patients with subclinical arteriosclerosis.