Modafinil

One of our patients has recently started taking Modafinil. Previously the patient was very low arousal and largely non-communicative. After taking Modafinil the patient has been more alert and has even written his wife's name. Heres a little info on Modafinil.

Modafinil - used to increase alertness/concentration and reduce fatigue. Used in the army for sleepless missions to enhance alertness/concentration.

Annoni, JM. Staub,F. Bogousslavsky, J. And Brioschi, A. (2008) Frequency, characterisation and therapies of fatigue after stroke, Neurological Sciences, September 2008 supplement 2, Vol. 29, p244-246.

• Post stroke fatigue occurs in around 50% of patients.
• Risk factors include: posterior strokes, depression, disability, attentional impairment, inactivity and sleep apnea.
• Treatments include: Cognitive therapy, Depression treatment and Wakefullness-promoting drugs like Modafinil.
• Study showed that: Modafinil decreased fatigue scores in brainstem and thalamic stroke patients but not cortical infarct strokes.
• There are different forms of fatigue including 'Task specific' fatigue - e.g. with aphasia - mental fatigue appears after speaking for a certain length of time.
• Therefore treating fatigue may impact on the patients aphasia therapy.