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Cited by 21Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchParkinson's Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Guanfacine treatment for prefrontal cognitive dysfunction in older participants: A randomized clinical trial

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Barcelos, Nicole M., Van Ness, Peter H., Wagner, Allison F., MacAvoy, Martha G., Mecca, Adam P., Anderson, George M., Trentalange, Mark, Hawkins, Keith A. +3 more·2018·Neurobiology of Aging
DOI 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.05.033PMC PMC6503670
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Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of the alpha-2A-adrenoceptor agonist guanfacine on prefrontally mediated cognitive functions, as well as quality of life and global function in healthy older participants. One hundred twenty-three participants aged 75 years and older were randomly assigned to guanfacine 0.5 mg, 0.1 mg, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in z-score for 6 prefrontal executive function tasks over 12 weeks (PEF6). Neither dose of guanfacine improved PEF6 z-score relative to placebo. The rate of mean change (95% confidence interval) in PEF6 z-score over 12 weeks was 0.270 (0.159, 0.380) for placebo, compared with 0.121 (0.011, 0.232) for guanfacine 0.1 mg (p = 0.06, compared to placebo) and 0.213 (0.101, 0.324) for 0.5 mg (p = 0.47). Neither dose of guanfacine improved the quality of life or global function relative to placebo. Among common adverse events, only dry mouth was significantly more frequent on guanfacine compared to placebo. Guanfacine failed to ameliorate prefrontal cognitive function in older individuals, who were cognitively normal for age.

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Authors
Barcelos, N. M., Van Ness, P. H., Wagner, A. F., MacAvoy, M. G., Mecca, A. P., Anderson, G. M., Trentalange, M., Hawkins, K. A., Sano, M., Arnsten, A. F. T., & van Dyck, C. H.
Affiliations
  • Yale University (US)
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
ORCID
Venue
Neurobiology of Aging
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-10
Volume
70
Pages
117-124
ISSN
0197-4580 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.05.033
PMC
PMC6503670
OpenAlex
W2807262192
Cited by
21
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
FWCI
1.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Neurobiology of Aging (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (R01AG030457, K23AG057794, P50AG047270, P30AG021342)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
guanfacine, prefrontal executive function, cognitive impairment, older adults, quality of life, global function, xerostomia, adverse events, dose comparison
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Quality of Life, Guanfacine, Treatment Outcome, Prefrontal Cortex, Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists, Cognitive Dysfunction

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