Researchers examined 56 patients and found that vinpocetine significantly improved memory and concentration when compared to the control patients treated with conventional methods.

The benefits were greatest in the epilepsy patients, but there was also minor improvement in the dementia patients (most of whom were suffering advanced dementia).

What was especially impressive about this study is that it used a relatively low dose of vinpocetine — just 5 mg taken twice a day for 3 months.

Yet the patients’ improvement remained steady for as long as they took the supplement.

Other studies have shown considerable memory improvement in patients who have disorders of brain circulation (ischemia).

Higher doses, in the range of 30 mg a day, produced significant improvement in memory and attention in elderly patients with poor brain circulation.

In a large meta-analysis of 731 patients with aged-related memory impairment, researchers found that vinpocetine significantly improved a number of mental functions.

They examined those brain functions with careful testing, including speech, motor coordination, strength, and sensory perception ability.

The improvement in cognitive functions was also considered significant.

On the other hand, results in patients with Alzheimer’s disease were not impressive, as little improvement was seen.

In most of these studies, moderate to severe dementia was present at the start. Doses as high as 60 mg a day were tested.

Beginning therapy with vinpocetine much earlier could have a more beneficial effect, and of course combining other brain-protectant compounds could significantly improve the results. Such compounds might include:

• Curcumin

• Quercetin

• Baicalein

• Acetyl-L-carnitine

• EGCG

Newer studies have shown that impaired brain circulation occurs with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. This impaired circulation may account for the effectiveness of vinpocetine in such cases.

Vinpocetine also acts as a mild anticoagulant, thus preventing strokes involving small blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to dementia.