4-Aminopyridine induces functional improvement in multiple sclerosis patients: a neurophysiological study

J Neurol Sci. 1993 Jun;116(2):220-6. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(93)90329-w.

Abstract

This study reports on the neurophysiological measurements that were performed in the context of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with intravenously administered 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in 70 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS). A beneficial effect of 4-AP was found for both visual evoked response and eye movement registration parameters. This study extends the experimental data obtained on animal nerve fibers, showing that 4-AP can improve impulse conduction in demyelinated nerve, to clinical data which indicate that 4-AP induces an objective improvement in the central nervous system function in MS-patients. It thereby also provides a theoretical basis for clinical efficacy of 4-AP in MS.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / administration & dosage
  • 4-Aminopyridine / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electrophysiology
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / drug effects
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / physiology
  • Eye Movements / drug effects
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Pursuit, Smooth / drug effects
  • Pursuit, Smooth / physiology

Substances

  • 4-Aminopyridine