A recent study has explored the potential of fampridine, a drug commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, to enhance working memory in healthy adults. The double-blind, crossover trial, published recently, investigated whether fampridine could improve working memory (WM) performance, revealing targeted benefits for individuals with lower baseline cognitive abilities.
The study, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), involved 43 young, healthy adults who were randomly assigned to receive either fampridine or a placebo. Participants underwent a 3.5-day treatment period, followed by an 8–82 day washout period to eliminate any lingering effects of the drug. The primary outcome was WM performance, measured using a task that required participants to remember and respond to specific sequences of letters.
Targeted Memory Improvement
While the study did not find an overall improvement in working memory for all participants taking fampridine, a significant finding emerged: individuals with lower baseline WM performance experienced more improvement under fampridine. This suggests that the drug may be particularly beneficial for people with naturally weaker WM. The results align with prior research indicating that cognitive interventions often yield greater benefits for those starting with lower abilities.
Impact on Brain Excitability
In addition to the targeted memory improvements, fampridine was found to decrease motor thresholds, a sign of increased brain excitability. This increased excitability may play a role in supporting cognitive functions, potentially contributing to the observed improvements in WM among individuals with lower baseline performance.
Limitations and Future Directions
The study has several limitations, including a small sample size of young, healthy adults, which limits the generalizability of the findings to older populations or those with cognitive impairments. The short treatment duration of 3.5 days also means that long-term effects remain unknown. The dosage used was based on its standard approval for multiple sclerosis, which may not be optimal for cognitive benefits.
The researchers suggest that future studies should focus on clinical populations, such as individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, where WM deficits are more pronounced. These findings also emphasize the need for personalized approaches to cognitive therapies based on individual baseline capabilities. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and treatment duration for cognitive benefits and to explore the potential of fampridine in addressing WM deficits in various clinical populations.
