Noradrenergic agonists for acute traumatic brain injury (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 03 September 2002. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Although there have been considerable gains in understanding the cascade of events that lead to secondary injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI), efforts to translate this understanding into new therapeutic, so-called neuroprotective, approaches have so far proven disappointing. Animal models suggest an alternative strategy: agents enhancing monoaminergic transmission, particularly amphetamines, have been shown to promote motor recovery from focal brain injury and it has been suggested that this might represent a complementary means of therapeutic intervention in the later post-injury phase.

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence that amphetamines improve final outcome after traumatic brain injury.

Search strategy: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Injuries Group's Specialised Register of Controlled Trials. Researchers and authors of published trials were also contacted.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing the use of a noradrenergic agonist (together with conventional non-pharmacological rehabilitative therapy) versus conventional non-pharmacological rehabilitative therapy alone.

Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data and assessed trial quality.

Main results: Although there is a limited clinical literature addressing this topic, none of the studies identified fully meets inclusion criteria for this review.

Reviewers' conclusions: At present there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of methylphenidate or other amphetamines to promote recovery from TBI.

Citation: Forsyth R, Jayamoni B. Noradrenergic agonists for acute traumatic brain injury (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

---

This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

The Cochrane Library is designed and produced by Update Software Ltd.

Update Software Ltd, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford OX2 7LG, UK
(Tel:+44 1865 513902; Fax:+44 1865 516918)

File Reference: AB003984.htm