Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41047680›Full record

Trial reportCurrent Alzheimer research2026

Clinical Study on the Neuroprotective Effects of Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule on Brain Structure and Cognitive Function in Patients with Vascular Cognitive Impairment.

Mengyuan Li, Dandan Wang, Dongfeng Wei, Junying Zhang, Xiangwei Dai, Zhanjun Zhang, He Li

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Current Alzheimer research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mengyuan LiState Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Dandan WangState Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Dongfeng WeiBeijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Junying ZhangBeijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Xiangwei DaiBeijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Zhanjun ZhangState Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
He LiBeijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionVascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) is a common type of dementia that affects the quality of life and lacks effective treatments. The Dengzhan Shengmian capsule (DZSM), a traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically used to alleviate VCI symptoms, but its therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of DZSM in VCI patients by investigating its impact on cognitive function and brain structure, thereby providing neuroimaging evidence for its clinical application.

methodsA randomized, double-masked, 6-month trial was conducted with 100 VCI patients, assigned to either the experimental group receiving DZSM (n = 50) or the placebo group (n = 50). The efficacy of DZSM in VCI patients was assessed through cognitive behavioral assessments and neuroimaging data collected at baseline and after 6 months. A comparison was made across groups to determine cognitive and neural changes associated with the intervention.

resultsParticipants receiving DZSM exhibited significant improvements across multiple cognitive domains compared to the placebo, including global cognition (MMSE, p = 0.019; ADASCog, p < 0.001), episodic memory (AVLT-N1N5, p < 0.001), visuospatial ability (CDT, p = 0.034), and working memory (DST, p = 0.015). For brain structure, the gray matter volume in the right postcentral and precentral gyrus, bilateral cuneus, left supplementary motor area, superior occipital gyrus, right hippocampus, right thalamus, bilateral lingual gyrus, left precuneus, right inferior frontal gyrus (triangular part), left inferior parietal gyrus, left superior medial frontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and right parahippocampal gyrus increased in the DZSM group (FDR-corrected, p<0.05), with no significant changes in white matter microstructure. Moreover, gray matter volume increases positively correlated with improvements in global cognition and visuospatial function. DISCUSSION: DZSM capsules significantly improved multiple cognitive domains in VCI patients, particularly memory, visuospatial, and executive functions. The observed increases in gray matter volume suggest that DZSM may exert neuroprotective effects through structural brain remodeling, which is closely associated with cognitive enhancement.

conclusionThis study identifies brain structural abnormalities in VCI patients that correlate with cognitive deficits. DZSM capsule treatment significantly improved cognitive function. While the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, these effects may be related to structural changes in the brain.

Indexed as

BrainCognitionCognitive DysfunctionDementia, VascularDrugs, Chinese HerbalNeuroprotective AgentsAgedCognitive EnhancementDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsTreatment Outcomedengzhan shengmai capsuleDrugs, Chinese HerbalNeuroprotective Agentsbrain structurecognitive abilitydementiaDengzhan Shengmai capsuletraditional Chinese medicineVascular cognitive impairment

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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.