Neuroprotezione del paziente con glaucoma cronico ad angolo aperto:ruolo della Citicolina in soluzione orale

Aim: To verify the efficacy of Citicoline, taken orally, in the prevention of neurological damage in patients with Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma (COA G). Methods: 30 subjects with COA G were divided into 2 groups: 18 subjects (CT group) were treated with Citicoline and 12 (PP group) were treated with placebo. Both groups underwent 3 cycles of treatment. A cycle lasted 60 days and after every cycle there was a wash-out period of 30 days. On day 0, 60, 90, 150, 180, 240 and 270 all subjects underwent an examination of the optic nerve fibres by GDx VVC and a simultaneous recording of pattern reversal VEP s and pattern ER G. Results: In both groups endocular pressure values kept steady below 21 mmHg. In the CT group the VEP s average amplitude regularly increased at the end of every cycle and moderately decreased at the end of the wash-out period. Retinocortical Time (RCT ) appeared significantly reduced at the end of every cycle in the CT group. VEP s average amplitude and RCT remained unchanged in the PP group. A slowing down of the TSNIT average, statistically non significant, appeared only at the end of the third cycle in the CT group. Conclusion: Citicoline administered orally at a dose of 500 mg, seems to have a neuroprotective effect. This effect is apparent after a cycle of at least 60 days and tends to moderately decrease at discontinuation of the drug.