SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2012
Piracetam for acute ischaemic stroke.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 48 citations in OpenAlex.
- A systematic-search-and-review of registered pharmacological therapies investigated to improve neuro-recovery after a stroke.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Pooled it
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023Pooled it
- Oral antiplatelet therapy for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022Pooled it
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- A Systematic Review of Neuroprotective Strategies during Hypovolemia and Hemorrhagic Shock.International journal of molecular sciences · 2017Pooled it
- Effects of Central Nervous System Drugs on Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Clinical drug investigation · 2017Pooled it
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Piracetam for Aphasia in Post-stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.CNS drugs · 2016Pooled it
- Oral antiplatelet therapy for acute ischaemic stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014Pooled it
- The hazards of chasing subgroups in neutral stroke trials.Neurological research and practice · 2025Review
- Global stroke burden attributable to household air pollution: Insights from GBD 2021 and projections to 2040.PloS one · 2025Article
- Impacts of the Zero-Markup Drug Policy on Hospitalization Expenses of Patients with Stroke in Western China: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2024Article
- Key design elements of successful acute ischemic stroke treatment trials.Neurological research and practice · 2023Review
- The Conditions Under Which Piracetam Is Used and the Factors That Can Improve National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Score in Ischemic Stroke Patients and the Importance of Previously Unnoticed Factors From a Hospital-Based Observational Study in Taiwan.Journal of clinical medicine · 2019Article
- Molecular Dissection of Cyclosporin A's Neuroprotective Effect Reveals Potential Therapeutics for Ischemic Brain Injury.Brain sciences · 2013Article
Corrections and comments
- Update of
Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPiracetam has neuroprotective and antithrombotic effects that may help to reduce death and disability in people with acute stroke. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 1999, and previously updated in 2006 and 2009.
objectivesTo assess the effects of piracetam in acute, presumed ischaemic stroke. SEARCH
methodsWe searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 15 May 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2011), EMBASE (1980 to May 2011), and ISI Science Citation Index (1981 to May 2011). We also contacted the manufacturer of piracetam to identify further published and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing piracetam with control, with at least mortality reported and entry to the trial within three days of stroke onset. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors extracted data and assessed trial quality and this was checked by the other two review authors. We contacted study authors for missing information. MAIN
resultsWe included three trials involving 1002 patients, with one trial contributing 93% of the data. Participants' ages ranged from 40 to 85 years, and both sexes were equally represented. Piracetam was associated with a statistically non-significant increase in death at one month (approximately 31% increase, 95% confidence interval 81% increase to 5% reduction). This trend was no longer apparent in the large trial after correction for imbalance in stroke severity. Limited data showed no difference between the treatment and control groups for functional outcome, dependence or proportion of patients dead or dependent. Adverse effects were not reported. AUTHORS'
conclusionsThere is some suggestion (but no statistically significant result) of an unfavourable effect of piracetam on early death, but this may have been caused by baseline differences in stroke severity in the trials. There is not enough evidence to assess the effect of piracetam on dependence.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.