Efficacy of actovegin in the treatment of elderly patients with vascular mild cognitive impairment

Efficacy of actovegin was investigated in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of cerebrovascular genesis. Thirty patients (7 men and 23 women, mean age 71.2 years) received ac-tovegin intramuscularly in dosage 5 ml (200 mg) daily during 4 weeks. Patient's were assessed before and after treatment using CGI and MMSE, verbal association test, scale of frontal dysfunction, clock drawing test, Boston naming test, Mattis dementia scale, test to remember 10 words, the Hamilton depression scale. An improvement was seen in all measures. A positive therapeutic effect, including increased speed of mental processes, reduction of bradiphrenia and memory disorders as well as positive impact on asthenic and depressive symptoms, was identified. Side-effects and adverse events of ac-tovegin were not observed. It is concluded that actovegin could be recommended for elderly patients with early manifestations of cognitive decline.