Cyclandelate in the Treatment of Senility: A Controlled Study

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Abstract
Elderly patients often manifest a variety of symptoms (e.g., depression, memory loss, irritability, hostility), categorized as senility or senile dementia, which are difficult to treat and represent a major therapeutic challenge to the geriatrician. A drug often prescribed for these symptoms, cyclandelate, was assessed under double-blind conditions. In a 16-wk study, 58 elderly patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups and received either 1600 mg of cyclandelate daily or identical-appearing placebo capsules. Initially, and every 4 wk thereafter, the patients were examined for changes in vital signs and for adverse reactions; also, the Sandoz Clinical Assessment-Geriatric (SCAG) Scale and the Nurses Observation Scale Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE) were completed. At the final evaluation, a physician''s global rating was obtained. Cyclandelate is a safe and moderately effective treatment for certain symptoms of senescence in carefully selected patients.