Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment Drug Intervention

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of ShenWu Capsules (an extract from herbs that tonify Qi of the kidney, eliminating phlegm for resuscitation and drug for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis) in the treatment for memory impairment in the elderly with the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in communities, and whether it can delay the process from MCI to dementia.METHOD:Volunteers in gerontic and gerontic early days in Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Xiyuan Hospital affiliated to China Academy of TCM and Shu Guang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai TCM College were screened by a neuropsychological test with Folstein MMSE-R and Clinical Memory Scale(CMS) to score his memory level. Memory Quotient(MQ)<100 called mild cognitive impairment. At the same time, CMS can also assess the ability of language memory, iconic memory, memory for digits, association memory. One hundred and sixty eight subjects who had MCI and memory impairment were selected. In the demonstration these voluntary applicants were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups, eighty four subjects each group. Random, double-blind and double simulation and control method were used. Voluntary applicants in treatment group took ShenWu Capsules, each time 5 tablets, three times a day. Voluntary applicants in control groups took aniracetam Capsules, each time 5 tablets, three times a day. After three months, each subject was given a neuropsychological test to evaluate the effects. After six months, each subject was given a neuropsychological test again to score their memory level the third time.RESULTS:statistical data shows that both two medicines can improve the memory scores, cognitive function test scores and scores of TCM syndrome of the Voluntary applicants with the mild cognitive impairment (P<0.01). ShenWu Capsules has the same effectiveness of aniracetam (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS:ShenWu Capsules (an extract from herbs that tonify Qi of the kidney, eliminating phlegm for resuscitation and drug for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis) can improve the memory scores of the elderly, and has the same effectiveness of aniracetam. Both ShenWu Capsules and aniracetam Capsules have the actions that protect the cognitive and memory status. It can be with broad prospects for development that use Chinese herbs to treat MCI.