Pyritinol

Authors:

Flicker, Grimley Evans

Findings:

The meta-analysis demonstrated a difference between individuals treated with piracetam and those given placebo, based on a common outcome measure of clinical global impression of change. Results showed a significant odds ratio and a favourable number needed to treat, providing compelling evidence for the global efficacy of piracetam in older subjects with cognitive impairment.

Participants:

patients suffering from dementia or cognitive impairment in the elderly; a diverse group of older subjects with cognitive impairment

Study Quality Assessment:

Meta-analysis including nineteen double blind, placebo controlled studies. Methodology followed the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Potential problems in meta-analyses and interpretation acknowledged.

All Effects:

Authors:

Fioravanti M, Garg A, Nakashima T, Xu J

Findings:

The study is a systematic review examining the sufficiency of PubMed and Google Scholar for biosciences research.

Study Quality Assessment:

systematic review

All Effects:

Authors:

E, Fiaccadori C, Venturini G

Findings:

Preliminary results indicate a significant performance decline only in the control group at the 9-month follow-up when compared to baseline and the 3-month follow-up.

Study Quality Assessment:

Control group; Baseline, 3-month follow-up, 9-month follow-up measurements mentioned.

Authors:

Hatazawa J, Ido T, Itoh M, Kawashima K, Kogure K, Nagasawa H

Findings:

It is suggested that co-dergocrine mesylate stimulates glucose metabolism of neurons in the human brain with multi-infarct dementia.

Participants:

Humans with multi-infarct dementia

Authors:

Mielke R, et al.

Findings:

Group Cognitive Stimulation (CS) improved cognitive function (MMSE scores) in PLwD across mild, mild-to-moderate, and moderate severity, and improved Quality of Life (QoL) in moderate dementia. Individual CS improved cognition in mild-to-moderate dementia. Both group and individual Cognitive Training (CT) improved cognition (MMSE) in mild dementia. Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) improved functional abilities in mild dementia and showed potential positive effects on caregiver burden. High heterogeneity was observed across interventions and outcomes.

Participants:

People living with dementia (PLwD), aged ≥ 40 years. Specific sub-analyses considered dementia severity (mild, mild-to-moderate, moderate). Total participants across included studies: CS (N=2075), CT (N=1099), CR (N=1362). Mean age ranged from ~66 to ~88 years, majority women. Mean MMSE scores varied by intervention and severity group.

Dosage:

The study reviewed non-pharmacological interventions (Cognitive Stimulation, Cognitive Training, Cognitive Rehabilitation). Details on intervention modality (group vs. individual), system (computerized vs. traditional), form (e.g., CST, ROT, specific CT tasks), and duration (e.g., short-term ≤ 12 weeks, long-term > 12 weeks) were analyzed, but specific pharmacological dosages were not applicable. Variability in length and intensity of interventions was noted as a limitation.

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Used GRADE methodology and PRISMA reporting standards. Quality assessment performed using Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB), finding overall moderate-to-high quality for CS studies, moderate for CT, and high for CR. Key limitations noted include high clinical, statistical, and methodological heterogeneity across studies, variability in intervention length/intensity, and common risks of bias in randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding.

All Effects: