BACKGROUND: A majority of stroke patients have persisting motor deficits despite ongoing physiotherapy. Therefore, additional treatment options are desirable. OBJECTIVE: We investigated if the serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, would improve motor functions in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: In all, 8 patients >6 months after their stroke participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover experiment. The order (first drug then placebo or vice versa) was randomized. Sessions were separated by at least 2 weeks. Motor function was assessed by nine-hole peg test, and measurements of hand grip-strength before drug intake, 2 hours after drug intake, and after 1 hour of training aimed at improving the function of the paretic hand. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, citalopram intake significantly improved performance of the nine-hole peg test for the paretic hand but not for the unaffected hand. Hand grip-strength remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of citalopram can enhance dexterity in chronic stroke patients. This pilot study justifies a test of efficacy of citalopram in a larger group of stroke patients.
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BACKGROUND: A majority of strokepatients have persisting motor deficits despite ongoing physiotherapy. Therefore, additional treatment options are desirable. OBJECTIVE: We investigated if the serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, would improve motor functions in chronic strokepatients. METHODS: In all, 8 patients >6 months after their stroke participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover experiment. The order (first drug then placebo or vice versa) was randomized. Sessions were separated by at least 2 weeks. Motor function was assessed by nine-hole peg test, and measurements of hand grip-strength before drug intake, 2 hours after drug intake, and after 1 hour of training aimed at improving the function of the paretic hand. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, citalopram intake significantly improved performance of the nine-hole peg test for the paretic hand but not for the unaffected hand. Hand grip-strength remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of citalopram can enhance dexterity in chronic strokepatients. This pilot study justifies a test of efficacy of citalopram in a larger group of strokepatients.
Authors: Fred Stephen Sarfo; Manolo Agbenorku; Sheila Adamu; Vida Obese; Patrick Berchie; Bruce Ovbiagele Journal: J Neurol Sci Date: 2019-07-23 Impact factor: 3.181
Authors: David A Cunningham; Nicole Varnerin; Andre Machado; Corin Bonnett; Daniel Janini; Sarah Roelle; Kelsey Potter-Baker; Vishwanath Sankarasubramanian; Xiaofeng Wang; Guang Yue; Ela B Plow Journal: Restor Neurol Neurosci Date: 2015 Impact factor: 2.406
Authors: F Chollet; J Rigal; P Marque; M Barbieux-Guillot; N Raposo; V Fabry; J F Albucher; J Pariente; I Loubinoux Journal: Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep Date: 2018-10-23 Impact factor: 5.081