Galantamine Treatment for Nonfluent Aphasia in Stroke Patients
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cognitive impairment after stroke is common and has a major effect on morbidity and quality
of life. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have demonstrated benefit in vascular dementia, but
efficacy in treating more circumscribed cognitive deficits following stroke, such as aphasia,
has not been systematically investigated.
This study evaluated the efficacy of Galantamine (Reminyl) in subjects with chronic, stable
non-fluent aphasia secondary to stroke. Subjects enrolled in a double-blind placebo-
controlled cross-over study that employed a comprehensive battery of language tests and
measures of general cognitive and behavioral status that will be used to control for factors
that may influence language functioning. The primary study outcome was a within-subject
comparison of changes in language function and behavioral scores between placebo and
active-treatment phases (12 weeks each). Our hypothesis was that by increasing acetylcholine
levels, and facilitating activity of other neurotransmitters affecting attentional systems,
Galantamine would produce gains in both language and behavioral scores in patients suffering
chronic effects in cognitive systems due to injury following stroke.