The role of citicoline in the treatment of dyscirculatory encephalopathy and vascular cognitive impairment
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the main manifestation of dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DEP). According to the severity of cognitive impairment, Stage I DEP corresponds to mild (subjective) cognitive impairment; stage II DEP to moderate cognitive impairment; stage III DEP to severe cognitive impairment or vascular dementia. VCI is diagnosed on the basis of cognitive impairment, the clinical and neuroimaging findings confirming the presence of cerebrovascular disease, and the neuropsychological study results indicating a cognitive defect. Citicoline is one of the most widely used nootropic drugs for cerebrovascular pathology. The treatment of VCI involves the prevention of stroke and progressive chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) and the use of drugs improving cognitive functions. Citicoline is one of the most widely used nootropic drugs for cerebrovascular disease. This drug was synthesized in Japan to treat stroke, then it became widely used in different countries in patients with CCVD and VCI. The data of clinical trials and a Cochrane systematic review prove the efficacy and safety of citicoline in the elderly and senile patients.