[Use of lysine-vasopressine in the treatment of post-traumatic amnesia (author's transl)]

Abstract

Following experimental works on the role of vasopressine (ADH) on learning and memory process, we have treated seven subjects suffering from post-traumatic amnesia with Lysine-Vasopressine (LVP), as a nasal spray for 15 days (14 UI per day). All subjects (males, aged 20 to 63) presented a deficit for 3 years, did not follow any treatment and did not hope for any improvement. Five subjects presented a real improvement, either immediately during the treatment, or in a way more progressive some weeks after the end of the treatment. The improvement as today was evidenced by psychological tests (attention and short term visual retention tests) and by electrophysiological methods (measure of amplitude of the VCN). The improvement was mainly on general activity, motivation and capacity for social adaptation. It was associated for four subjects with a marked increases in the level of Neurophysine I. The mode of action of LVP is discussed in light of recent neurochemical and neurophysiological works.