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Metrifonate for Alzheimer's disease
J M López-Arrieta1, L Schneider
1Consejería de Sanidad. Comunidad de Madrid, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón - Cantoblanco, Carretera de Colmenar km 14.500, Madrid, SPAIN, 28049. jess.arrieta@nacom.es
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 21, 2006
Summary
Metrifonate showed cognitive and functional improvements in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, but trials were halted due to rare neuromuscular side effects. Further development was discontinued.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Metrifonate, a cholinesterase inhibitor, was investigated for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment.
- Initial use for schistosomiasis showed potential for enhancing central nervous system cholinergic neurotransmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate metrifonate's efficacy in improving cognition, global impression, and functional activity in AD patients.
- To assess the safety and tolerability of metrifonate in AD patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of metrifonate in AD patients.
- Data extraction and pooling from published and non-published clinical trial data.
Main Results:
- Metrifonate demonstrated significant cognitive improvement (MMSE, ADAS-Cog) and global impression enhancement compared to placebo.
- Improvements were also observed in activities of daily living, though dependent on sample size and instrument used.
- Adverse events like abdominal pain and nausea were mostly mild, but rare cases of neuromuscular dysfunction and respiratory failure led to trial discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- Metrifonate showed potential for clinical response in cognition, global improvement, and daily living activities in mild to moderate AD.
- While generally well-tolerated, rare severe adverse events led to the withdrawal of metrifonate from further development.
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