Clinical and neuropsychological study with oxiracetam versus placebo in patients with mild to moderate dementia.

40 out-patients with a mild to moderate degree of dementia (11 less than or equal to MMSE less than 24) participated in a between-subjects (n = 20 + 20) double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial comparing the effects of oxiracetam 800 mg bid and placebo during 90 days of treatment. At the end of therapy, statistical analysis (ANOVA) detected significant differences between groups: after oxiracetam treatment, improvements were observed on Mini Mental State Examination, Auditory Continuous Performance Test, Block Tapping Test, Word Fluency and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. No side effects were observed. In conclusion, in the present population of patients with mild to moderate degree dementia, 1600 mg/day of oxiracetam was effective in enhancing both attentional activities and other, more complex, neuropsychological functions.