Document Detail


Amitriptyline selectively disrupts verbal recall from secondary memory of the normal aged.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7099364     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Amitriptyline, a frequently prescribed tricyclic antidepressant, is reported to produce an age-related impairment in anterograde memory. However, the locus of this adverse effect has never been described within the context of contemporary learning and memory theory. Fifteen normal elderly subjects were treated with 50 mg amitriptyline and placebo in a cross-over study. A computerized stage analysis of memory revealed that sensory and primary memory were not affected while verbal recall from secondary memory was markedly disrupted by amitriptyline. Further examination of secondary memory revealed that amitriptyline impaired recall, but not recognition. The profile of anterograde memory impairments observed with amitriptyline is similar to that previously reported for the antimuscarinic, scopolamine. Since amitriptyline at the dose employed in this study would be expected to exert marked central antimuscarinic effects, it appears likely that it is the pharmacologic blockade of central muscarinic receptors in the aged that results in the selective disruption of verbal recall in secondary memory.
Authors:
R J Branconnier; D R DeVitt; J O Cole; K F Spera
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Neurobiology of aging     Volume:  3     ISSN:  0197-4580     ISO Abbreviation:  Neurobiol. Aging     Publication Date:  1982  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1982-09-24     Completed Date:  1982-09-24     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8100437     Medline TA:  Neurobiol Aging     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  55-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aging*
Amitriptyline / adverse effects
Female
Humans
Male
Memory / drug effects*
Mental Recall / drug effects*
Middle Aged
Visual Perception
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
50-48-6/Amitriptyline

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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