Zaburzenia świadomości i przytomności w stanach mechanicznego i ischemicznego uszkodzenia mózgu -- możliwości terapii za pomocą amantadyny.

Traumatic brain injury is the most common cause of death and chronic disability in the young. Because of irreversible central neurological system (CNS) damage and poor regeneration of neural structures the therapeutic chances and perspectives in this condition are modest. Amantadine, first used as antiviral drug was also implemented in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The preparation, because of its abilities as NMDA receptor antagonist and dopaminergic activity as well, could be potentially introduced in the treatment of the patients with head/brain trauma with consciousness and awareness disability. The article reviews the results of clinical studies with amantadine in treatment of posttraumatic patients. On the most instances the drug influenced favourably on patients' consciousness, allo- and autopsychological orientation, functional independence, verbal and non-verbal communication, and drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]