Taxifolin and cilostazol for cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia: a retrospective exploratory analysis

Abstract

Background: We previously reported that each taxifolin (TAX) and cilostazol (CSZ) have neuroprotective pleiotropic effects that target amyloid β, and that TAX is clinically associated with cognitive improvement. Thus, TAX and CSZ combination therapy could amplify cognitive improvement.

Methods and Results: In this retrospective longitudinal study, we collected data from 29 patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia who received TAX (300 mg/day) and regularly underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale 13 (ADAS-Cog). The total MMSE scores were converted to the total MoCA score based on the established calculation method. The total MoCA and ADAS-Cog score changes were compared between the nontreatment (pre-TAX) period (180 ± 100 days) and the following treatment (on-TAX) period (180 ± 100 days) in patients taking CSZ (TAX/CSZ group, n = 6) and those not taking CSZ (TAX group, n = 23). Increase in the mean total MoCA scores was significantly greater during the on-TAX period than the non-TAX period in the TAX group (0.96 vs. –1.30, p = 0.016) and in the TAX/CSZ group (1.83 vs. –1.83, p = 0.011). Furthermore, the increase during the on-TAX period tended to be greater in the TAX/CSZ group than in the TAX group (1.83 vs. 0.96, p = 0.21). However, the changes in mean total ADAS-Cog score were comparable between the on-TAX and the non-TAX periods in the TAX group (p = 0.21) and the TAX/CSZ group (p = 0.44).

Conclusion: TAX and CSZ combination therapy could serve as a novel strategy for maintaining brain health during aging.