Use of Stimulant Medications in Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

The brain is a factory that produces a variety of complex chemicals which interact through many pathways to influence every activity of the body.  These chemicals and pathways are responsible for the ability to think, learn, process stimuli, retain memories and recall memories.  When these pathways are destroyed or interrupted by stroke or brain injury, what is the best way to facilitate rehabilitation?

Attention deficit disorder, Parkinson's Disease, narcolepsy, and Alzheimer's Disease are all thought to be diagnoses that are caused by destruction of chemical pathways in the brain.  If stimulant medications have been found to help these types of brain disorders, do these same types of drugs have a place in the treatment of stroke and brain injury patients?

There have been many studies done to investigate the answer to this question.  A review of these studies was published in which the author concluded that these brain chemistry stimulants may have some effect on facilitating motor recovery, decreasing fatigue, improving initiation of processes, and may help cognition.

However, the research does not show when to start or stop these drugs.  It isn't known whether it is safe to begin as soon as the stroke or brain injury occurs.  It is also not known what doses should be used or whether the medications should be continued long-term.  The author of this review suggests that pursuing this study would be very beneficial because of the promise that these stimulant medications may hold for persons who have had a stroke or brain injury.

For further information: "Pharmacological stimulant treatment of Neurocognitive and Functional Deficits after Traumatic and non-traumatic Brain Injury," E. Napolitano,  MD; E. Elovic; A. Qureshi; Medical Science Monitor, volume 11, issue 6, June 2005.