Sodium oxybate is currently approved in the United States exclusively for the treatment of cataplexy in narcoleptic patients. In a prior article published in this journal, we reported a patient with severe posthypoxic myoclonus whose myoclonus improved with ethanol and also with treatment with sodium oxybate. We extend this preliminary observation to five other patients with ethanol-responsive movement disorders in an open-label, dose-titration, add-on, 8-week trial. All five patients (one with severe alcohol-responsive posthypoxic myoclonus, two with epsilon-sarcoglycan-linked myoclonus-dystonia, and two with essential tremor) experienced improvement from baseline of 50% or greater as measured by blinded videotape review. Tolerability was satisfactory, with dose-dependent sedation as the most common side effect. Further studies of this drug in hyperkinetic movement disorders are warranted.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mds.20605 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Pharmacological enhancement of slow-wave activity at an early disease stage improves cognition and reduces amyloid pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Front Aging Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Introduction: Improving sleep in murine Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with reduced brain amyloidosis. However, the window of opportunity for successful sleep-targeted interventions, regarding the reduction in pathological hallmarks and related cognitive performance, remains poorly characterized.
Methods: Here, we enhanced slow-wave activity (SWA) during sleep via sodium oxybate (SO) oral administration for 2 weeks at early (6 months old) or moderately late (11 months old) disease stages in Tg2576 mice and evaluated resulting neuropathology and behavioral performance.
Comparative efficacy of sodium oxybate versus placebo on improvement of nighttime sleep in adult patients with narcolepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sleep Med X
December 2025
Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Background: Narcolepsy, a central hypersomnolence disorder, disrupts sleep regulation. Sodium oxybate, a CNS (central nervous system) depressant, is widely used as a treatment, but there are surprisingly very few rigorous studies comparing its effectiveness to placebo in adults.
Objectives: To measure the comparative efficacy of sodium oxybate at a dosage regimen of 9 g versus placebo in improving nighttime sleep quality, reducing nocturnal arousals and sleep stage shifts, and enhancing the overall refreshed nature of sleep in adult patients with narcolepsy.
Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment.
Harm Reduct J
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
Background: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) have become a significant concern due to the increase in their recreational use and the high risks associated with it (e.g., overdose, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal syndromes).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrends in Prescription of Stimulants and Narcoleptic Drugs in Switzerland: Longitudinal Health Insurance Claims Analysis for the Years 2014-2021.
JMIR Public Health Surveill
January 2025
Centre of Sleep Medicine and Epileptology Barmelweid, Klinik Barmelweid AG, Aargau, Switzerland.
Background: Stimulants are potent treatments for central hypersomnolence disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders/attention deficit disorders but concerns have been raised about their potential negative consequences and their increasing prescription rates.
Objective: We aimed to describe stimulant prescription trends in Switzerland from 2014 to 2021. Second, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of individuals who received stimulant prescriptions in 2021 and investigate the link between stimulant prescriptions and hospitalization rates in 2021, using hospitalization as a potential indicator of adverse health outcomes.
Understanding the Patient Experience with Twice-Nightly Sodium Oxybate Therapy for Narcolepsy: A Social Listening Experiment.
Brain Sci
November 2024
Avadel Pharmaceuticals, Chesterfield, MO 63005, USA.
Background/objectives: Narcolepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder associated with substantial challenges that affect the social, emotional, and financial quality-of-life domains. A social listening analysis and structured survey were conducted to better understand the candid perspective of people with narcolepsy (PWN) and their experience with twice-nightly sodium oxybate (SXB).
Methods: To characterize conversations and experiences in narcolepsy communities where SXB was mentioned, a social media analysis was conducted from August 2011 to October 2022.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!