The effect of piracetam on ataxia: clinical observations in a group of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia patients

Abstract

This study is providing good clinical observation in favour of high dose piracetam infusion to reduce the disability of the patients by improving their gait ataxia.

Synthesis and Nootropic Activity of Some 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐one Derivatives Structurally Related with Piracetam

“…In some European countries, piracetam has been used for patients with a moderate degree of Alzheimers disease to increase the cognitive functions [1] with excellent tolerance and security [2]. Although the mode of action of piracetam in the nervous system is not well-defined, its efficacy has been documented in a wide range of clinical indications like cognitive disorders and dementia, vertigo, and dyslexia, as well as cortical myoclonus [3] [4].…”

Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: The Effectiveness of High-Dose Piracetam for the Treatment of Cerebellar and Sensorial Ataxia

“…However, there was a dramatic recovery when these studies evaluated the symptomatic effects of piracetam on truncal ataxia. In these two studies, only one patient had a definite diagnosis of hereditary SCA type 2 (SCA2) [9]. Piracetam and levetiracetam have been also used to treat other types of hereditary ataxia cases with a definite diagnosis, specifically SCA2, SCA15 and fragile X syndrome [15][16][17].…”

“…Although the precise mechanisms of action for piracetam are not fully understood, this drug has been successful for the treatment of cognitive disorders, cortical myoclonus and vertigo [14]. Piracetam also results in modest improvements of posture and gait in patients with a suspected diagnosis of hereditary SCA [9,10], but it does not ameliorate speech or oculomotor disorders. However, there was a dramatic recovery when these studies evaluated the symptomatic effects of piracetam on truncal ataxia.…”

“…For example, adult CTX patients may undergo long-term treatment with CDCA alone or in combination with inhibitors of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase [8]. Similarly, high-dose parenteral piracetam is effective in some definite and probable cases of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) [9,10]. Here, we report the effectiveness of high-dose intravenous piracetam for the treatment of ataxia in two cases of CTX.…”

Oxidative Stress in a Model of Toxic Demyelination in Rat Brain: The Effect of Piracetam and Vinpocetine

“…When given to stroke patients with aphasia, the drug improved recovery of various language functions and increased task-related blood flow activation [9]. The drug also improved cognitive function in the elderly [10] and after coronary artery bypass [11] and improved degenerative cerebellar ataxia [12]. Piracetam is largely thought to benefit the ischaemic brain through increasing blood flow, affecting membrane fluidity [13] and glucose transport into the cell [14].…”