Pharmacotherapy of aphasia: myth or reality?

Brain Lang. 2007 Jul;102(1):114-25. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2006.07.004. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy of aphasia had been discussed for the last twenty years with first bromocriptine and amphetamine and then serotoninergic, GABAergic and cholinergic agents. Here, we reviewed the MEDLINE available reports of drug therapy for aphasia. So far, proofs of efficiency were found indubitable for none of the studied molecules. However, some of them showed limited efficiency (piracetam and amphetamine). Moreover, drug therapies for aphasia were less efficient alone than when they were associated with speech therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamine / therapeutic use
  • Aphasia / drug therapy*
  • Aphasia / etiology
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Donepezil
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use
  • GABA Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Indans / therapeutic use
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Paroxetine / therapeutic use
  • Physostigmine / therapeutic use
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Serotonin / therapeutic use
  • Stroke / complications
  • Zolpidem

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Dopamine Agents
  • GABA Agonists
  • Indans
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Piperidines
  • Pyridines
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Serotonin
  • Bromocriptine
  • Paroxetine
  • Zolpidem
  • Donepezil
  • Physostigmine
  • Amphetamine
  • Piracetam