Nimodipine and Vascular Dementia

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker class of drugs and it was originally developed by Bayer for the treatment of high blood pressure. It also has shown good results in preventing a major complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Recent study concluded that Nimodipine has some short-term benefits in the treatment of patients with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, or mixed Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular disease. It seems to be well tolerated with few side effects. Around 500 patients participated in several randomized controlled trials. The rationale for its use is to restrict the influx of calcium ions into neurons, and, by vasodilatation, to improve blood flow to the brain. New research is needed to focus on longer term outcomes.