Huperzine A for improving the memory and cognitive function in patients with organic brain diseases

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Huperzine A, a cholinesterase inhibitor extracted from qiancengta herb, can promote the recovery of memory and strengthen memory retention.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the ameliorating effect of huperzine A on memory and cognitive function in patients with vascular dementia (VD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).DESIGN: Case analysis.SETTING: Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.PARTICIPANTS:Totally 64 patients, 30 males and 34 females treated in the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, between March 2000 and March 2002 were recruited. Among them, there were 41 cases of VD (VD group) and 23 cases of AD (AD group).METHODS: Patients in the two groups all took huperzine A tablets orally, at a total dose of 200 μg a day, twice a day for 8 weeks. Memory quotient (MQ) value and Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score were used before and after treatment to evaluate the curative effects. Evaluate were enhanced by 25% compared to those before treatment and the clinical score were enhanced by 15% separately, and the clinical symptoms were activity ability score in patients before and after treatment.fect on patients in the two groups 8 weeks after treatment: The total effective rate in VD group was 71%, which was significantly higher than that in AD group (48%) (P ＜ 0.01). The severer dementia was, the less curative and MMSE score of patients in the two groups were significantly higher after treatment than before treatment (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). However, score of daily activity ability did not obviously differ (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Huperzine A can effectively improve memory and cognitive function in patients with organic brain diseases and has good curative effects.