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Amphetamine increases blood pressure and heart rate but has no effect on motor recovery or cerebral haemodynamics in ischaemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN 36285333)

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 21, pages 616–624 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Amphetamine enhances recovery after experimental ischaemia and has shown promise in small clinical trials when combined with motor or sensory stimulation. Amphetamine, a sympathomimetic, might have haemodynamic effects in stroke patients, although limited data have been published. Subjects were recruited 3–30 days post-ischaemic stroke into a phase II randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received dexamphetamine (5 mg initially, then 10 mg for 10 subsequent doses with 3- or 4-day separations) or placebo in addition to inpatient physiotherapy. Recovery was assessed by motor scales (Fugl–Meyer (FM)), and functional scales (Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin score (mRS)). Peripheral blood pressure (BP), central haemodynamics and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity were assessed before, and 90 min after, the first two doses. Thirty-three subjects were recruited, aged 33–88 (mean 71) years, males 52%, 4–30 (median 15) days post stroke to inclusion. Sixteen patients were randomized to placebo and seventeen to amphetamine. Amphetamine did not improve motor function at 90 days; mean (s.d.) FM 37.6 (27.6) vs control 35.2 (27.8) (P=0.81). Functional outcome (BI, mRS) did not differ between treatment groups. Peripheral and central systolic BP, and heart rate (HR), were 11.2 mm Hg (P=0.03), 9.5 mm Hg (P=0.04) and 7 beats per minute (P=0.02) higher, respectively, with amphetamine, compared with control. A nonsignificant reduction in myocardial perfusion (BUI) was seen with amphetamine. Other cardiac and cerebral haemodynamics were unaffected. Amphetamine did not improve motor impairment or function after ischaemic stroke but did significantly increase BP and HR without altering cerebral haemodynamics.

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Acknowledgements

We thank therapists Helen Hill, Christine Walker, Louise Connell and Jeremy Newton for performing outcome assessments. PB, MW, VP and AS conceived, designed and supervised the study; MRW and NS recruited patients and performed systemic and cerebral haemodynamic studies; NS and LG performed the statistical analyses; NS and PB wrote the first draft of this paper, all the other authors commented on and approved the final draft; PB is the study guarantor. Support was received from BUPA Foundation (NS, LG) and The Hypertension Trust (MRW). PB is Stroke Association Professor of Stroke Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stroke Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    N Sprigg, M R Willmot, L J Gray & P M W Bath

  2. School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    A Sunderland

  3. Centre for Rehabilitation and Ageing, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, UK

    V Pomeroy

  4. Department of Ageing and Rehabilitation, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    M Walker

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Correspondence to P M W Bath.

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Sprigg, N., Willmot, M., Gray, L. et al. Amphetamine increases blood pressure and heart rate but has no effect on motor recovery or cerebral haemodynamics in ischaemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN 36285333). J Hum Hypertens 21, 616–624 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002205

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