Zhou_2007_Zhongguo.Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za.Zhi_27_793

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Shenyin Oral Liquid (SOL) in relieving mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and decreasing the Alzheimer's disease (AD) transformation rate.
METHODS: One hundred and seventeen MCI patients were randomly assigned to the Chinese medicine group (42 cases), the vitamin E group (38 cases) and the placebo group (37 cases). The treatment course was 12 months and a 6-month follow-up was conducted after ending the treatment course.
RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of clock drawing test (CDT), nonsensical figure recognition and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) raised significantly in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the activity of acetylcholine esterase in erythrocytic membrane was lower in the Chinese medicine group than that in the placebo group and the Vitamin E group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Six months after the treatment, there were 2 and 5 cases in the placebo group and the vitamin E group which were diagnosed as AD, respectively, and none in the Chinese medicine group. CONCLUSION: SOL has an effect similar to cholinesterase inhibitor, it could improve cognitive function in MCI patients and reduce the AD transformation rate in them.