OXIRACETAM IN THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMERS TYPE - A SMALL CASE SERIES

A 16-week open-label trial of high-dose oxiracetam (up to 3200 mg per day), was not clinically effective overall in treating a small cohort of patients with mild-moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). However, one of six patients did demonstrate evidence of progressive clinical improvement followed by relapse after discontinuation of medication. Resumption of treatment with oxiracetam after a 6-month interval was associated with a similar pattern of improvement on neuropsychological testing and enhanced social functioning which was sustained during an additional 5 years of treatment. Following death due to unrelated causes, brain histopathologic findings were consistent with late-stage DAT despite the patient's sustained clinical improvement while under treatment with oxiracetam.