Clinical experience with the use of citicoline in mild cognitive impairment of vascular origin

Cardiovascular factors significantly increase the risk of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Currently, there are no specific treatments for VCI. A promising therapeutic strategy is the administration of citicoline, which has a neuroprotective effect.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of treatment with citicoline (Noocil^®) on cognitive function and quality of life (QoL)in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) developed in a background of arterial hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis.

Material and methods. An open-label prospective observational study enrolled 32 patients with neuroimaging-confirmed vascular cognitive impairment who received baseline therapy (antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and antiplatelet therapy) and achieved target blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. All patients were assessed with a neuropsychological status assessment (MoCA-test). The efficacy of therapy was assessed by the Short Form-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36).

Results. The most common complaints of the patients were poor concentration, fatigue, forgetfulness, mood lability, sleep disturbances, more often in the form of early waking, and headaches. After 3 months of taking the drug Noocil^®, all patients noted an increase in the ability to work, an improvement in concentration, memory and reproduction of the information received, both physical and mental indicators of QoL improved. The positive dynamics in terms of cognitive status (especially the functions of attention, short-term memory, several aspects of executive functions), QoL of patients, which was associated with the effect of Noocil^® therapy, was accompanied by the absence of adverse events. A distinctive feature of domestic citicoline (Noocil^®) is the presence of an original dosage form – a 240 ml bottle for oral administration, which improves adherence to long-term therapy.

Conclusion. The efficacy, safety and good tolerability of Noocil^® therapy in patients with predemental VCI was demonstrated.

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