EFFECT OF NIMODIPINE ON MEMORY AFTER CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objectives - Epidemiological studies indicate widespread memory impair ment in patients with stroke in the early post-ictal stage. Nimodipine may have psychopharmacological properties and may improve memory. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial to determine whet her nimodipine given 7-14 days after cerebral infarction improved memo ry. Material and methods - One hundred patients with acute cerebral in farction were consecutively enrolled between D7 to D14. After stratifi cation, patients were randomized to receive oral nimodipine 90 mg dail y for 12 weeks, or no drug. Independent assessors administered Mini-Me ntal State Examination (MMSE) and Fuld Object-Memory Evaluation (FOME) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results - Patients receiving nimo dipine showed greater improvement in FOME mean scores at 12 weeks (P = 0.0334), and also in FOME score change across time (P = 0.0283). Pati ents with severe disability who received nimodipine also showed greate r MMSE score change across time (P = 0.0495). Conclusion - Nimodipine given 7-14 days after cerebral infarction for 3 months results in memo ry improvement. (C) Munksgaard 1998.