Assessment of desmopressin-enhanced cognitive function in a neurosurgical patient

The vasopressin analog desmopressin (DDAVP) is known to enhance memory in animals and man but its precise mechanism of action is uncertain. We report the case of a patient who experienced chronic memory dysfunction with impaired job performance following transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary aden...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMilitary medicine Vol. 154; no. 2; p. 83
Main Authors Dons, R F, House, J F, Hood, D, Krehbiel, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.02.1989
Subjects
Adenoma - surgery
Adult
Deamino Arginine Vasopressin - pharmacology
Deamino Arginine Vasopressin - therapeutic use
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Memory Disorders - drug therapy
Pituitary Neoplasms - surgery
Postoperative Complications - drug therapy
Prospective Studies
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Summary:The vasopressin analog desmopressin (DDAVP) is known to enhance memory in animals and man but its precise mechanism of action is uncertain. We report the case of a patient who experienced chronic memory dysfunction with impaired job performance following transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma. A prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of DDAVP was performed. Memory storage and recall improved with DDAVP treatment and declined within 1 week after drug withdrawal both by subjective and objective criteria. The Buschke Selective Reminding Test was clearly the most responsive out of a battery of standard memory testing paradigms employed to track the presence or absence of DDAVP treatment.
ISSN:0026-4075
DOI:10.1093/milmed/154.2.83