A Controlled Double‐Blind Study of High‐Dose Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate (Hydergine ^R ) in Mild Dementia

Abstract

In a double-blind study of 41 outpatients aged 55 to 80 years with mild memory impairment, the efficacy of dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DEM, Hydergine) at 6 mg per day, administered orally, was tested during a twelve-week period. Specific etiologies for the amnesic syndrome were ruled out by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Subjects with a Hamilton Depression Scale rating above 18, ie, possible pseudodementia, were excluded. Physician rating of memory, employing the Inventory of Psychic and Somatic Complaints in the Elderly (IPSC-E), indicated statistically significant improvement of memory function in DEM treated subjects (N = 22) v those on placebo (N = 19), (F = 3.34; df = 1,39; P less than .04). In contrast, structured testing of recent memory using digit symbol substitution and Zahlenverbindungs test (ZVT) showed improvement in both groups (P less than .001) with no significant intergroup differences (P less than .10). Out results indicate that in cases of mild, though subjectively distressing impairment, DEM at higher dosages may help to enhance short-term memory function.

Alternative Drug Therapies for Dementia

“…A double-blind study found that ergoloid mesylates improved mild impairment of recent memory compared with placebo among patients with mild dementia (Thienhaus, Wheeler, Simon, Zemlan, & Hartford, 1987). Ergoloid mesylates also showed significant improvement compared with placebo on the Inventory of Psychic and Somatic Complaints in the Elderly scale.…”

A Step Back in Time: Is There a Place for Older Drugs in the Treatment of Dementia?

“…DEM's mechanism in AD dementia is unknown but is thought to improve the metabolism of cerebral ganglionic cells by increasing cyclic adenosine 39,59-monophospate (cAMP), increasing the uptake of water, glucose, and oxygen in cerebral cells, and stimulating vasodilation (40,41). DEM has also been thought to modulate or affect the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine (42).…”

Effects of co-dergocrine mesylate (Hydergine) in multi-infarct dementia as evaluated by positron emission tomography.

“…Co-dergocrine mesylate (Hydergine®) has been employed in the clinical treatment of senile dementia and cerebral vascular disorders for many years, and its efficacy has been well documented (van Loveren-Huyben et al 1984 ; Singer et al 1985;Thienhaus et al 1987). In Japan, co-dergocrine mesylate has been in use for the past 27 years.…”