Objective: To investigate the effects of metoclopramide on the intelligence and memory in patients with Tourette syndrome.
Methods: Before and after the 3 month treatment of metoclopramide, the intelligence of 25 children with Tourette syndrome was evaluated by the Wechsler intelligence scale fo children, and the memory by the Wechsler memory scale for children.
Results: The scores of intelligence in children treated by metoclopramide increased from 82.27 +/- 13.20 to 90.53 +/- 15.50, with significant difference (P < 0.05). The scores of performance intelligence quotient increased from 84.13 +/- 10.60 to 92.40 +/- 15.30 (P < 0.01). The scores of arithmetic subtle test for the support memory/attention, the block pattern subtle test for the support perception constitution factor, and the vision recognition subtle test for mean short-term memory increased from 8.20 +/- 2.70 to 10.20 +/- 3.21, 9.13 +/- 2.33 to 10.53 +/- 2.94, and 6.07 +/- 4.56 to 8.40 +/- 3.56, respectively.
Conclusion: Metoclopramide can improve the intelligence, short-term memory and attention in children with Tourette syndrome.