Stimulants for disorders of consciousness in the intensive care unit: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Brain : a journal of neurology June 12, 2025 Marwan H Othman, Attila Géry Toury-Puel, Karen Irgens Tanderup Hansen et al. 7 citations
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 intensive care unit patients with acute disorders of consciousness after brain injury received apomorphine, methylphenidate, or placebo. Automated pupillometry measured pupillary responses to verbal commands; neither drug significantly increased these responses overall. However, 20% of patients showed improved clinical arousal at least once after drug administration, with methylphenidate linked to more arousal events than placebo. Patients with greater baseline pupillary responsiveness were more likely to show arousal, suggesting this may predict stimulant effects. No adverse events occurred. The findings need replication but may guide future trials on consciousness recovery.