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Cerebral Pharmacodynamics of Physostigmine in Alzheimer's Disease Investigated Using Single-Photon Computerised Tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. Hunter ,
D. J. Wyper ,
J. Patterson ,
M. T. Hansen  and
G. M. Goodwin
R. Hunter*
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ
D. J. Wyper
Affiliation:
Wellcome Neuroscience Group, Department of Clinical Physics, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
J. Patterson
Affiliation:
Wellcome Neuroscience Group, Department of Clinical Physics, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
M. T. Hansen
Affiliation:
Wellcome Neuroscience Group, Department of Clinical Physics, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
G. M. Goodwin
Affiliation:
MRC Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
*
∗Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow G12 0XH
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Abstract

The effects of physostigmine on patterns of rCBF in patients with pre-senile Alzheimer's disease were studied using 99mTc-labelled HMPAO SPECT. Regional CBF increased in the left cortex relative to right, with the most significant effect in left frontal and higher frontal regions. Measures of regional brain function, such as SPECT, are an important complement to psychological test batteries in understanding the effects in brain of putative antidementia drugs. SPECT brain imaging could extend our understanding of the action of psychotropic drugs in other major psychiatric illnesses.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 3 , March 1991 , pp. 351 - 357
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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