Effect of nicergoline on cognition function of patients with cerebral infarction

Xiaofeng LI; Changlin HU

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The incidence of cognition disturbance after cerebral infarction is about 20% -30% and effective drugs for its prevention and treatment are anticipated.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of nicergoline on cognition disturbance after cerebral infarction and explore its mechanism.

DESIGN:

Randomized controlled trial based on patients.

SETTING:

Neurological department in a medical university.

PARTICIPANTS:

A total of 60 patients admitted to the Neurological Department of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University for cerebral infarction during October 1999 and April 2001 were recruited in this study, and randomly divided into two groups, nicergoline treatment group and control group with 30 in each.

METHODS:

Mini-mental state examination(MMSE) score was evaluated and cerebral blood flow was determined with transcranial Doppler' s ultrasonography within one week after admission and three months after admission, respectively, and data were analyzed with SPSS software.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

MMSE score and velocity of blood flow in treatment and control groups.

RESULTS:

MMSE score in memory, calculation and recollection decreased significantly[ (1.2 ± 1.3), (2. 2 ± 2. 1) and(1.0 ± 1.7), respectively] in control group but did not change much[ (3.9 ± 1.4), (4. 4 ± 1.9) and(4.0 ± 1.6) ]in treatment group. The velocity of blood flow in control group decreased apparently, while it increased in treatment group[(58.31 ±10. 15) and(65.79 ±9.74) cm/s in the right middle cerebral artery].

CONCLUSION:

Nicergoline can prevent and treat vascular cognition disturbance, and improvement of blood supply may be one of the mechanisms.