Effect Of Propentofylline On Topography Of Auditory P300 In Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease

We performed auditory P300 recordings and WAIS-R examinations on 16 patients (eight women and eight men, 45-82 years) with chronic cerebrovascular disease. The subjects were treated for 8 weeks with a daily dosage of 300 mg propentofylline. We compared the results of the auditory P300 recordings and WAIS-R examinations before and after the treatment. P300 recordings were carried out by means of a two-tone auditory oddball paradigm. Responses were recorded from 13 scalp electrodes referenced to linked ear electrodes. Waveforms were averaged on-line by a signal processor, which also controlled the stimulus presentation and artifact rejection. After propentofylline treatment, the patients showed significantly higher WAIS-R scores (total and verbal, p < 0.05; performance, p < 0.08). P300 latencies became shorter after the treatment, but the difference was not significant. However, there was a significant difference in the topographic mapping of P300 amplitudes. P300 amplitudes in the left frontopolar area and its neighborhood became significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and therefore the P300 pattern normalized after the treatment. We concluded that P300 recording might be a good method to verify the clinical improvement induced by nootropic drugs.