Table 4.
Current drugs for neurobehavioral disorders after TBI.
| Class | Drug | Mechanism | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNS stimulants | Methylphenidate | acts as an NDRI | amplified the speed of information processing in many neuropsychological tests |
| CNS stimulants | Modafinil | unknown | raised alertness by the modulation of both noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems |
| Atypical antidepressant | Agomelatine | a melatonin receptor agonist and serotonin 5-HT2C and 5-HT2B | led to better sleep efficacy |
| Antiviral | Amantadine | reflect a growth in synthesis and discharge of dopamine | decreased the incidence and gravity of irritability |
| Antidepressant of the selective SNRI class | Venlafaxine | acts as an SNDRI | increased obsessive behaviors, irritability, and sadness symptoms |
| Anticonvulsant | Valproate | blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels and increased brain levels of GABA | had benign neuropsychological effects, and is a safe drug to control recognized seizures or stabilize mood |
| Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor | Rivastigmine | inhibits butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase | encouraging in the subgroup of patients with moderate/severe memory weakening |
| Cholinesterase inhibitor | Galantamine | allosteric potentiating ligand of human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) α4β2, α3β4, and α6β4 and chicken/mouse nAChRs α7/5-HT3 in some brain areas | refined fatigue, memory, attention, and initiative |
| Cholinesterase inhibitor | Donepezil | develops cholinergic function | indorsed clinical improvement and metabolism |
CNS, central nervous system; NDRI, norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor; SNDRI, serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor; GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid; SNRI., serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.