Whilst there was only a limited pool of relatively small trials and a number of different compounds , we found that collectively , both AChEIs ( donepezil and rivastigmine ) and stimulants ( methylpheni date , modafinil , l‐amphetamine sulfate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate ) offered no significant benefits over placebo on measures of processing speed , working memory , verbal fluency , verbal memory , visuospatial memory or executive functioning
HighlightsCognitive deficits are present in up to 70 % of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).There are no approved treatments for these difficulties .
We examined whether adjunctive pharmacotherapies can improve cognition in MS.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors offered no significant benefits over placebo .
Stimulant‐based medications offered no significant benefits over placebo .
& NA ; We sought to examine the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors ( AChEIs ) and stimulant‐based medications for improving cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .
Modafinil effects in multiple sclerosis patients with fatigue
Background To investigate the effects of Modafinil on focused attention , motor function and motor excitability in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) and fatigue . Methods 21 MS patients with fatigue were enrolled in this double-blind placebo-controlled study . Modafinil ( MOD ) or placebo ( PL ) was administered for 8 weeks . The d2 alertness test , the Nine Hole Peg Test ( 9HPT ) and several transcranial magnetic stimulation ( TMS ) techniques were applied prior to and after the first drug ingestion and well as after 8 weeks of drug intake . Results Prior to the first drug intake , the two groups were comparable . After the first drug ingestion , fatigue as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale ( FSS ) , performance of the d2 test and the 9HPT improved significantly in the MOD group and remained better than in the PL group after 8 weeks of treatment . Patients in the MOD group made fewer mistakes in the D2 test without being slower . They completed the 9HPT faster . Motor evoked potential amplitudes produced by paired pulse TMS were larger in the MOD group than the PL group . Motor thresholds and silent period duration s remained unchanged . Conclusions Compared to PL , MOD improved fatigue , focused attention and dexterity and enhanced motor cortex excitability in this group of patients . MOD may be helpful in MS patients with fatigue to improve cognitive and motor abilities
Whilst there was only a limited pool of relatively small trials and a number of different compounds , we found that collectively , both AChEIs ( donepezil and rivastigmine ) and stimulants ( methylpheni date , modafinil , l‐amphetamine sulfate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate ) offered no significant benefits over placebo on measures of processing speed , working memory , verbal fluency , verbal memory , visuospatial memory or executive functioning
HighlightsCognitive deficits are present in up to 70 % of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).There are no approved treatments for these difficulties .
We examined whether adjunctive pharmacotherapies can improve cognition in MS.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors offered no significant benefits over placebo .
Stimulant‐based medications offered no significant benefits over placebo .
& NA ; We sought to examine the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors ( AChEIs ) and stimulant‐based medications for improving cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .