An open-labelled clinical and electrophysiological study of 3,4 diaminopyridine in the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

We studied the electrophysiological parameters of motor performance in eight patients with multiple sclerosis and troublesome fatigue, before and after treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine. Symptomatic fatigue was evaluated by the Krupp Fatigue Severity Score and motor performance of adductor pollicis by transcranial magnetic stimulation, rapid voluntary movements and a fatiguing exercise test of a sustained 45-s isometric contraction. The motor tests revealed baseline abnormal motor function and substantial central fatigue. After a 3-week course of 3,4-diaminopyridine (25-60 mg/day), six out of the eight patients reported substantial improvement in fatigue and the group showed slightly less fatigue on the exercise test. Other electrophysiological tests of motor function were unchanged. The findings suggest that 3,4-diaminopyridine may play a role in the symptomatic treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis. However, the mechanism behind such a benefit in fatigue remains unclear and the discrepancy between subjective and more objective responses underlines the probable multifactorial nature of the pathogenesis of this symptom in multiple sclerosis.