Effect of vinpocetine on age‐related differences in brain function of aged fischer rats

Abstract Vinpocetine, an eburnamenine derivative, is under clinical investigation as a cerebral activator for use in Alzheimer's and other diseases characterized by symptomatic cognitive and attentional deficits. In this study, vinpocetine was evaluated by examining its effect on the electrocorticogram (ECoG) of aged (26‐month‐old) Fischer‐344 rats. Significant age‐related differences were apparent for all ECoG parameters examined, suggesting a cerebral deficit in aged rats. Vinpocetine, administered orally (p.o.) over the dose range of 0.3 to 30 mg/kg/day p.o. for 5 days, diminished the age‐related differences in the ECoG. These findings provide evidence that vinpocetine may serve as a useful therapeutic agent in diseases characterized by cerebral deficits.