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Korsakoff's syndrome, cognition and clonidine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

R. E. O'Carroll ,
A. Moffoot ,
K. P. Ebmeier ,
C. Murray  and
G. M. Goodwin
R. E. O'Carroll*
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
A. Moffoot
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
K. P. Ebmeier
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
C. Murray
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
G. M. Goodwin
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. E. O'Carroll, MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF.
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Synopsis

Eighteen patients suffering from Alcoholic Korsakoff's Syndrome participated in a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over trial of clonidine 0·3 mg b.d. for two weeks versus matched placebo for two weeks. A detailed neuropsychological assessment was carried out at the end of each treatment phase and staff ratings of behaviour were also obtained. Clonidine treatment resulted in no significant improvement over placebo on any of the cognitive measures employed. The results contradict previous smaller studies which had suggested that chronic treatment with clonidine had a memory-enhancing effect in Korsakoff's syndrome.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , May 1993 , pp. 341 - 347
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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