Noradrenergic and cholinergic agents in Korsakoff's syndrome

Subjects suffering from memory disorders associated with Korsakoff's syndrome were treated with noradrenergic and cholinergic drugs in two phases. In the acute phase, tests of short- and long-term memory were conducted shortly after the administration of methylphenidate, physostigmine, an oral placebo, and an intramuscular placebo. In the chronic phase, the memory tests were given after the subjects had been administered each of the following for 1-week periods: methylphenidate, choline chloride, methylphenidate plus choline chloride, and an oral placebo. Significant improvements were seen in long-term memory scores of patients receiving chronic methylphenidate treatment. Significant improvement was not found in short-term memory measures with any of the drug treatments.