Cholinesterase inhibitors lack therapeutic effect in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A controlled study of physostigmine versus neostigmine

Abstract
Seven patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis participated in a double-blind cross-over trial of oral physostigmine and neostigmine (10 and 45 mg/day, respectively, for 3 days). Six of the patients were also given intravenous injections (1 and 1.5 mg, respectively) of the drugs in an open trial. No significant effects on muscle strength or neurophysiological parameters were observed.