Study summary · research use only
Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This Cochrane systematic review examined randomized controlled trials of Cerebrolysin for human patients with vascular dementia, searching the ALOIS register on 4 November 2012. Six randomized controlled trials with a total of 597 participants were included. Meta-analyses reported an association between Cerebrolysin and general cognitive function measured by MMSE (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.10; 95% CI 0.37 to 1.82) and ADAS-cog+ (WMD -4.01; 95% CI -5.36 to -2.66), and improved global clinical function by response rates (RR 2.71, 95% CI 1.83 to 4.00). Only non-serious adverse events were observed, with no significant difference between groups (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.94). The authors concluded evidence remains insufficient to establish Cerebrolysin as routine treatment, given the limited number of trials and variable treatment durations and follow-up.
Abstract
Vascular dementia is a common disorder without definitive treatments. Cerebrolysin seems to be a promising intervention based on its potential neurotrophic and pro-cognitive effects, but studies of its efficacy have yielded inconsistent results. To assess the efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia. We searched ALOIS - the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register on 4 November 2012 using the terms: Cerebrolysin, Cere, FPF1070, FPF-1070. ALOIS contains records of clinical trials identified from monthly searches of a number of major healthcare databases, numerous trial registries and grey literature sources. All randomized controlled trials of Cerebrolysin for treating vascular dementia without language restriction. Two authors independently selected trials and evaluated the methodological quality, then extracted and analysed data from the included trials. Six randomized controlled trials with a total of 597 participants were eligible. The meta-analyses revealed a beneficial effect of Cerebrolysin on general cognitive function measured by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37 to 1.82) or Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subpart, extended version (ADAS-cog+) (WMD -4.01; 95% CI -5.36 to -2.66). It also improved patients' global clinical function evaluated by the response rates (relative risk (RR) 2.71, 95% CI 1.83 to 4.00). Only non-serious adverse events were observed in the included trials, and there was no significant difference in occurrence of non-serious side effects between groups (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.94). Cerebrolysin may have positive effects on cognitive function and global function in elderly patients with vascular dementia of mild to moderate severity, but there is still insufficient evidence to recommend Cerebrolysin as a routine treatment for vascular dementia due to the limited number of included trials, wide variety of treatment durations and short-term follow-up in most of the trials.
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