Annals of neurology
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Annals of neurology · Feb 1983
Clinical TrialEffect of a single oral dose of propranolol on essential tremor: a double-blind controlled study.
The effect of a single oral dose of propranolol (120 mg) on essential tremor was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 26 patients. Hand tremor was recorded by means of accelerometers, and its frequency and amplitude calculated by using spectrum analysis. Recordings were made before and 1 1/2 hours after drug or placebo administration. ⋯ There was a clear tendency for patients with small tremor amplitude (less than 0.006 cm hand displacement) to show the least satisfactory response to propranolol. These results indicate that a single oral dose of propranolol is effective in producing a rapid and marked reduction of essential tremor. Measurement of pretreatment amplitude and frequency might be useful in predicting the therapeutic outcome in these patients.
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Annals of neurology · Feb 1983
No effect from double-blind trial of physostigmine and lecithin in Alzheimer disease.
Eight patients with clinically diagnosed mild to severe Alzheimer disease were treated during two six-week periods by a double-blind, single-crossover protocol with placebo or a combination of 18 gm of lecithin and 3 to 10 mg of oral physostigmine daily. No improvement in behavior, recent memory, or other neuropsychological functions occurred.