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Nicergoline improves dysphagia by upregulating substance P in the elderly
Taku Nakashima1, Noboru Hattori, Mafumi Okimoto
1From Department of Respiratory Medicine (TN, MO, JY), Hiroshima General Hospital of West Japan Railway Company, Hiroshima; Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine (NH, NK), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Medicine
|June 23, 2011
Summary
Nicergoline and ACE inhibitors both improved swallowing function (dysphagia) and increased substance P levels in elderly patients. Nicergoline showed promise for those with dementia, offering a new treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Dysphagia in the elderly increases aspiration pneumonia risk.
- Impaired substance P secretion is linked to dysphagia.
- Nicergoline's potential to enhance substance P and improve dysphagia requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare nicergoline's effects on serum substance P and dysphagia with ACE inhibitors.
- To evaluate the efficacy of nicergoline versus imidapril in elderly patients with dysphagia and a history of pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- 60 elderly patients with dysphagia and prior pneumonia were randomized to nicergoline (15 mg/d) or imidapril (5 mg/d) for 6 months.
- Primary outcomes: substance P levels and dysphagia improvement at 4 weeks.
- Secondary outcome: pneumonia recurrence over 6 months.
Main Results:
- Both nicergoline and imidapril significantly increased serum substance P levels after 4 weeks.
- Improved dysphagia correlated with increased substance P levels.
- No significant difference in overall dysphagia or pneumonia recurrence between groups, but nicergoline was more effective in dementia patients.
Conclusions:
- Nicergoline demonstrates comparable efficacy to ACE inhibitors in improving dysphagia.
- Nicergoline may offer a novel treatment for elderly dysphagia patients unresponsive to ACE inhibitors.
- Nicergoline shows potential benefits for dysphagia and substance P levels in elderly patients with dementia.
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