Effects of Aniracetam, a Nootropic Drug, in Senile Dementia

A Preliminary Report

抄録

Three female patients with dementia were given aniracetam 500 mg, 1000 mg, and placebo for 4-week periods in a double-blind, cross-over study. EEGs and psychometric tests were performed before and during the treatment. From the power percentage of EEGs, aniracetam 500 mg produced an increase of α and fast wave activities but a decrease of slow wave activity. With aniracetam 1000 mg, neither an increase of α activity nor a decrease of slow wave activity were observed. In the psychometric tests, only the patient with a mild dementia responded favorably, according to performance on the tests. However, the scores with aniracetam 500 mg were higher than those with aniracetam 1000 mg. These results indicate that aniracetam may only be effective when dementia is mild and when the dose is carefully titrated.