Lack of efficacy of hydergine in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND

There is no effective pharmacologic treatment for Alzheimer's disease, the most common dementing illness in the United States. Hydergine, a combination of ergoloid mesylates, is the only approved medication for Alzheimer's disease, but despite widespread use its efficacy remains to be established. We conducted a clinical trial of Hydergine-LC, a newer preparation of ergoloid mesylates in the form of a liquid in a capsule (LC) that may have greater bioavailability, to determine its value in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Hydergine-LC for 24 weeks. The recommended dose of 1 mg orally three times daily was used. Cognition and behavior were evaluated before and after the trial, and the patients were monitored for adverse effects. The medication was safe and well tolerated. The Hydergine-LC group did not perform better after treatment than the placebo group on any test, and its performance was worse (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.02, respectively) on one cognitive measure (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Digit Symbol Substitution Task) and on one behavioral scale (the Geriatric Evaluation by Relatives Rating Instrument).

CONCLUSIONS

Hydergine-LC appears to be ineffective as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.