Amantadine, fatigue, and multiple sclerosis
G. A. Rosenberg and O. Appenzeller
Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of ten patients with
multiple sclerosis, we found amantadine hydrochloride therapy to be
effective in improving fatigability in six. Administration of the drug was
associated with significantly higher levels of
beta-endorphin-beta-lipotropin and responders had significantly higher
levels than nonresponders. Lactate levels were significantly higher and
pyruvate levels lower in nonresponders. Amantadine given for fatigue to
patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with measurable changes in
levels of metabolites and peptides in the circulation.
