Effect of Cyclandelate on Mental Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Elderly Patients

Abstract

A controlled clinical trial is described in which the effect of prolonged administration of cyclandelate on mental function and cerebral flow in elderly patients was tested. Group A patients were given cyclandelate and group B patients were given a placebo, each for a period of four months. A significant improvement in the results of mental function tests occurred only in group A patients. An increase in the average cerebral blood flow occurred in group A patients and a decrease occurred in group B patients. Neither of these changes was itself significant, but when the two groups were compared with each other a significant difference occurred between them. As there was no significant correlation between the changes in patients' scores in the mental function tests and changes in their mean circulation times, it is suggested that cyclandelate may bring about an improvement in mental function by producing a redistribution of blood flow within the cerebral circulation rather than an absolute increase in it. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.