In order to test whether and in what way pyritinon-HCl affects cerebral blood
flow and oxidative metabolism in patients with organic brain disorders, the
following parameters were measured in a group of 87 patients: cerebral blood
flow using the Kety and Schmidt method, cerebral consumption of oxygen and
glucose, and also CO2 and lactate output. 45 out of the 87 patients were given
pyritinol in a dose of 900 or 1000 mg/day, 42 out of 87 patients formed a
control group and were given 500 mg of 5% laevulose i.v. daily for the average
duration of the study of approximately 3 weeks.
The results can be summarized as follows:
1. Cerebral blood flow and
oxidative metabolism are changed in patients with organic brain disorders in
different ways both as regards quality and quantity. Findings from earlier
investigations could thus be confirmed.
2. When laevulose only was used,
the parameters measured did not alter on average. In addition to
deteriorations in the findings, spontaneous improvements or normalization of
previously disturbed cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism values were
also observed.
3. Pyritinol-HCl usually improved
previously disturbed cerebral glucose metabolism significantly. An effect on
disturbed cerebral blood flow or pathologically changed cerebral oxygen
consumption was not found.
