The effects of bromvincamine and vincamine on regional cerebral blood flow and mental functions in patients with multi-infarct dementia.

The effects of vincamine and bromvincamine (BV 26-723) on mental functions and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measured by the 133Xe inhalation method, were investigated in ten patients with mild to severe symptoms of multi-infarct dementia. The double blind cross over design included three treatment periods, each of 2 weeks' duration. The patients were drug free at the time of the first investigation in each treatment period. Then placebo, vincamine or bromvincamine was given orally (4 X 20 mg/day). Psychiatric evaluation, psychometric assessment and measurement of rCBF were done at start of medication and after 1 and 2 weeks during medication. There were 2 drug-free weeks between the first and second, and second and third treatment periods. Results from treatment with vincamine showed a significant increase in the global CBF level and reduction of initial right-left asymmetry of hemispheric means. No effects were seen in regional flow patterns. Performance score on a verbal memory test increased significantly. No significant effect on the global rCBF level was indicated for bromvincamine. However, the number of ischemic regions decreased significantly during treatment. Performance on two memory tests improved significantly. No significant changes in overall psychiatric ratings were observed for any of the treatment periods.