Journal of Child Neurology

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here for more information

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Patrick, P. D.
Right arrow Articles by Conaway, M. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Patrick, P. D.
Right arrow Articles by Conaway, M. R.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 21, No. 10, 879-885 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/08830738060210100901
© 2006 SAGE Publications

Dopamine Agonist Therapy in Low-Response Children Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Peter D. Patrick

Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VAa

James A. Blackman

Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Jennifer L. Mabry

Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Marcia L. Buck

Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Matthew J. Gurka

Department of Health Evaluation Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Ceznter and research Institute University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Mark R. Conaway

Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Ceznter and research Institute University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Department of Health Evaluation Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

The objective of this study was to determine whether a dopamine agonist could improve mental status among children in a low-response state following traumatic brain injury. In an 8-week, prospective, double-blind, randomized trial, 10 children and adolescents ages 8 to 21 years ( = 16.7 years) with traumatic brain injury sustained at least 1 month previously and remaining in a low-response state (Rancho Los Amigos Scale level ≤ 3) received pramipexole or amantadine. Medication dosage was increased over 4 weeks, weaned over 2 weeks, and then discontinued. At baseline and weekly during the study, subjects were evaluated with the Coma Near Coma Scale, Western NeuroSensory Stimulation Profile, and Disability Rating Scale. Scores improved significantly from baseline to the medication phase on the Coma Near Coma Scale, Western NeuroSensory Stimulation Profile, and Disability Rating Scale (P < .005). The weekly rate of change was significantly better for all three measures on medication than off medication (P < .05). Rancho Los Amigos Scale levels improved significantly on medication as well (P < .05). There was no difference in efficacy between amantadine and pramipexole. No unexpected or significant side effects were observed with either drug. This clinical trial supports the benefit of two dopamine agonists in the restoration of functional arousal, awareness, and communication. These drugs can be helpful in accelerating eligibility for acute rehabilitation among children and adolescents who have sustained significant brain injuries. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:879—885; DOI 10.2310/ 7010.2006.00203).


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?