Ten unselected patients with Parkinson’s disease were treated with MIF alone. In the acute trial maximum improvement occurred 2 h after intravenous infusion. After 14 days of treatment a slight but statistically significant improvement of the entire status was seen. Tremor at rest, facial changes, speech and script reacted most favourably, whereas akinesia and rigidity showed little, if any change. Clinical findings and psychological test results recorded during and after treatment revealed an emotional change by the drug. In patients who improved, mood and drive changed to the positive in contrast to the non-improved, with mood deterioration and increased restlessness. A central effect is assumed which, through an increase in the feeling of well-being, causes the changes in the syndrome.

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The effects of di-n-propylacetic acid (DPA) on sleep, for some years used as an anticonvulsive drug, has been investigated in 11 healthy volunteers using all-night sleep EEG recordings. DPA acts by an enhancement of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level of the brain. Its influence on sleep seemed to be of interest on account of the metabolic relationship of GABA to other short chain fatty acids. After short-term application only a shortening of the time to fall asleep and of the waking time could be found, whereas under long-term administration a decrease in deep synchronous sleep could be observed. In contrast to the results known from animal studies no marked influence on REM sleep was observed. The action of DPA on sleep is similar to that of diphenylhydantoin. No so-called matitudinal ‘hangover’ could be revealed in either drug.

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